The AscendED Workplace

AscendED Consulting

We create systems of accountability to turn generational challenges into leadership wins.

Episodes

  1. 12/04/2025

    HR Strategies That Actually Work with Gen Z. A Conversation with Jack Foust

    Struggling to recruit, manage, or retain Gen Z? You're not alone, and you're not imagining the shift. In this episode of The Ascended Workplace, Rebecca Burtram sits down with HR leader Jack Foust to break down what’s REALLY happening with Gen Z talent and what the most effective HR leaders are doing to adapt. Drawing from years of recruiting, onboarding, and developing young professionals across multiple industries (including the accounting field), Jack reveals:-Why Gen Z is actually the most honest and authentic talent pool-How hybrid onboarding models outperform handholding and sink-or-swim approaches-The 30-60-90 day structure that forces soft-skill growth-The weekly feedback cadence Gen Z requires to stay engaged and on track-How to prevent “promotion expectation shock” with clear development pathways-Why celebrating departures can improve retention-How to bridge cross-generational conflict with simple structural changes-What HR leaders consistently misunderstand about Gen Z Whether you’re a CEO, HR Director, Talent Manager, or firm owner, this episode gives you practical, system-level strategies to develop Gen Z into high-performing, loyal contributors. If your organization is struggling with:-Gen Z communication issues-Soft skills gaps-Unrealistic promotion expectations-Turnover or disengagement-Frustration between younger and older employees-Ineffective onboarding…this conversation will give you immediately actionable solutions.

    24 min
  2. 08/13/2025

    High Expectations + High Support = High Performance

    Are your Gen Z employees underperforming, disengaged, or resistant to feedback? You do not need to lower the standard. You need to raise the support. In this episode of The AscendED Workplace, Adam and Rebecca reveal a truth that many leaders miss. Gen Z is not lazy, entitled, or soft. They are capable of high performance when given the right structure, feedback, and clarity. Designed for CEOs, people leaders, and HR professionals, this episode offers real strategies to help you close the gap between expectations and outcomes by building systems of support that drive growth, accountability, and motivation. We unpack why Gen Z often sees accountability as punishment, how their upbringing shaped their work style, and why they are wired to ask for the “why” behind decisions. If your organization is facing high turnover, low ownership, or inconsistent performance from younger employees, this episode will give you tools to shift the culture and get results without burning out your leadership team. Subscribe for practical strategies at the intersection of accountability, growth mindset, and generational performance. Visit AscendED-Consulting.com to learn how we help companies build real systems that drive high performance. #GenZInTheWorkplace#ManagingGenZ#HowToLeadGenZ#LeadershipStrategiesForGenZ#GenZAccountability#CoachingYoungerEmployees#BuildingAccountabilityCulture#ManagingMillennialsAndGenZ#ExpectationsAndSupport#ImprovingWorkplacePerformance#EmployeeMotivationStrategies#AscendEDConsulting#AccountabilityCulture#GrowthMindsetAtWork#LeadershipPodcastForExecutives#accountabilityislove

    18 min
  3. 07/31/2025

    How to Build a Culture of Accountability That Actually Works

    Are you constantly putting out fires on your team?Deadlines are missed, people are disengaged, and ownership is unclear. The problem is not laziness. It is lack of clarity In this video, Rebecca and Adam from AscendED Consulting walk you through a four-step accountability system built for CEOs, executives, and leadership teams who need to align culture with performance and drive real results This is not theory.It is a repeatable, practical system that works for modern teams across all generations, including Gen Z What You Will Learn:- How to align your company culture and performance expectations- How to identify the behaviors that matter most for your organization’s success- How to design a custom accountability system using tools like simple self-assessments and behavior-based tracking- How to equip your managers with the clarity and confidence to lead effectively- How to create consistent feedback loops that improve trust, engagement, and retention- How to strengthen leadership decisions around compensation, promotions, and development Who This Is For:- CEOs- Founders- People leaders- Department heads- HR professionals- Executives building high-performing teams If you are leading a team that is quiet quitting, burning out, or missing expectations, this framework will help you bring structure, clarity, and results. This system prevents burnout, improves retention, builds trust, and creates the kind of culture people want to stay and grow in Want Our Help?This four-step system is the foundation of our Gold Package at AscendED Consulting.We work directly with leadership teams to build custom accountability systems that align culture and performance across every level of the organizationVisit ascended-consulting.com to learn more. If this video gave you something useful,Like itSubscribe to the channelShare it with a fellow leader who is ready to build a better culture #Accountability#LeadershipDevelopment#CultureStrategy#PerformanceManagement#ExecutiveLeadership#GenZWorkforce#RetentionStrategies#ManagementSystems#OrganizationalHealth#accountabilitysystems #AccountabilityIsLove

    17 min
  4. 07/24/2025

    No Deadlines, No Drive: How Schools' Deadline Practices Created a Generation Lacking Initiative

    Hosted by Rebecca Burtram & Adam Howard | AscendED Consulting  What if the biggest barrier to Gen Z’s performance isn’t motivation but the absence of deadlines in their education? In this episode, we unpack how schools’ shift to “no deadlines, no zeroes” created a generation that struggles with urgency, ownership, and time management. Now, those same students are your employees, and the consequences are hitting your bottom line. As educators turned workplace consultants, we saw this shift firsthand. Well-meaning policies removed structure and unintentionally taught students that time is flexible, expectations are negotiable, and consequences are optional. In this episode you’ll learn: 🔹 How deadline-free schooling trained Gen Z to wait for urgency rather than generate it 🔹 Why inconsistent accountability systems create ambiguity, anxiety, and missed goals 🔹 How to rebuild urgency through structured, fair accountability—not micromanagement 🔹 Practical tools for managers: checkpoint systems, post-mortems, and growth-based consequences 🔹 Why consistency and follow-up are more effective than pressure or scolding Deadlines aren’t about rigidity they’re about rhythm. And when teams have rhythm, they move faster, with confidence, clarity, and purpose. If your team is struggling with missed timelines and lost momentum, this episode will give you the roadmap to reset expectations and build a workplace where accountability drives results. #LeadershipDevelopment #GenZWorkplace #AccountabilityAtWork #FutureOfWork #AscendEDWorkplace #PeopleManagement #DeadlineCulture

    33 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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We create systems of accountability to turn generational challenges into leadership wins.