February 2026

Many industry leaders are looking to revitalize their organization’s culture by reshaping—or nixing altogether—the meeting. In order to cut the fat, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri is eliminating recurring meetings and encouraging biweekly one-on-ones. Managers satisfied with the amount of communication going on can reevaluate standing meetings in order to reduce low-value work and improve focus and morale. (Business Insider)

Nearly one million British Gen Zers are NEETs (not in employment, education, or training), and 60% are voluntarily so. The steady decline of young Gen Zers with “Saturday jobs” suggests not only higher barriers, but that many missed out on developing soft skills at a critical time. For these positions, experts suggest the tried and true “show up and ask for a job,” as it displays confidence and lends a personal touch that would not exist in an online application. (CNBC)

Employee engagement has fallen from its post-pandemic peak and remains stagnant, with only 41% of Gen Z and young millennials feeling like they are cared about at work. (That is 13 points less than in 2020). This disengagement highlights the need for culture innovation, meaningful feedback, and purposeful work, so that early-career workers feel connected and motivated. (Gallup)

Even after toppling the economically-crippling reign of Sheikh Hasina in 2024, Gen Zers in Bangladesh are struggling to find work. The unemployment rate for college graduates rose to nearly 14% in 2024, from 5% in 2010. This is emblematic of a global workforce issue: revolutions don’t fail when leaders don’t change– they fail when labor systems don’t. (The Wall Street Journal)

A recent survey suggests that 19% of boomers plan to retire in order to avoid working with Gen Z, and 25% of boomers would rather work with AI over a Gen Z colleague. Generational conflict is estimated to cost organizations $58 billion annually. Successful organizations will leverage boomers’ institutional knowledge and Gen Z’s technical skills, but moreover, encourage communication amongst employees in order to foster a balanced work ethic. (Newsweek)

This year’s Winter Olympics is ushering in a new generation of athletes, and the American curling team—which is mostly Gen Z—is rejuvenating a sport steeped in tradition. From training differently to using pregame antics like juggling to garner interest in the niche sport, these young athletes are proving that fresh perspectives and a willingness to try new things can strengthen teamwork. (NPR)