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What Would Gen-Z Do?: Everything You Don't Know About Gen-Z but Should
When interacting with Gen-Zers, whether you be their parent, teacher, coach, relative, neighbor, or anything in between, the generational divide can seem larger than ever. Gen-Zers ignore you, they refuse to turn on their Zoom cameras, they procrastinate, they make strange jokes, they have short attention spans, and they take so many selfies. But that isn’t all there is to Generation Z. What Would Gen-Z Do? will help you reach across the generational divide and learn how to navigate your relationships with Gen-Zers.
In this guide to everything Gen-Z, John Schlimm, Harvard-trained educator and Gen-Z advocate, uses his extensive experience in working with the younger generation to offer some insight for anyone who’s navigating the Gen-Z universe. In 51 chapters, you’ll find quick, relatable lessons and activity ideas that crush the stereotypes and stigmas of Generation Z and shed light on who your Gen-Zers really are—intelligent, compassionate, courageous, and honest future leaders. Love them, appreciate them, and encourage them to rock on!
In this guide to everything Gen-Z, John Schlimm, Harvard-trained educator and Gen-Z advocate, uses his extensive experience in working with the younger generation to offer some insight for anyone who’s navigating the Gen-Z universe. In 51 chapters, you’ll find quick, relatable lessons and activity ideas that crush the stereotypes and stigmas of Generation Z and shed light on who your Gen-Zers really are—intelligent, compassionate, courageous, and honest future leaders. Love them, appreciate them, and encourage them to rock on!
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 22, 2022
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
John Schlimm
36 books22 followersJohn Schlimm is a Harvard-trained educator, artist, activist, and international award-winning writer.
His newest book is EXTRAORDINARY DOGS: Stories From Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes. John’s other books include the Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions; Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit; Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!; and a series of plant-based cookbooks, including The Tipsy Vegan, Grilling Vegan Style, The Cheesy Vegan, and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Happy Hour.
A professor in the Communication and the Arts Division at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, John has also traveled the country speaking about inspirational/motivational topics, cooking, entertaining, and public relations, including his "Embrace Compassion, Change the World" keynote address on Capitol Hill and his rousing commencement address titled “The Road to YES is Paved with Many NO’s”.
He has appeared on such national media outlets as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, NPR, Martha Stewart Living's Everyday Food, The Splendid Table, QVC, and Fox & Friends.
As an artist, John is the creator of such Participatory Art pieces as Planting COMPASSION; The Garden of Gratitude; and THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours), which has been installed at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, as well as in Canada and Washington, D.C.
His newest book is EXTRAORDINARY DOGS: Stories From Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes. John’s other books include the Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions; Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit; Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!; and a series of plant-based cookbooks, including The Tipsy Vegan, Grilling Vegan Style, The Cheesy Vegan, and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Happy Hour.
A professor in the Communication and the Arts Division at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, John has also traveled the country speaking about inspirational/motivational topics, cooking, entertaining, and public relations, including his "Embrace Compassion, Change the World" keynote address on Capitol Hill and his rousing commencement address titled “The Road to YES is Paved with Many NO’s”.
He has appeared on such national media outlets as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, NPR, Martha Stewart Living's Everyday Food, The Splendid Table, QVC, and Fox & Friends.
As an artist, John is the creator of such Participatory Art pieces as Planting COMPASSION; The Garden of Gratitude; and THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours), which has been installed at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, as well as in Canada and Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 8, 2023
The author is an educator who advocates a better understanding of the Gen-Zers through this book. He aims to smash stereotypes and typical characterisations that we have of Gen-Zers. FYI, Gen-Zers are people aged 11-26.
Most explanations are written briefly in just 1-2 pages max, making it readable in one sitting. The explanations are based on the author’s experience dealing with Gen-Zers through his conversation and observation. The pages are colourful and bright suitable with Gen-Zers.
As a Millennial who interacts with and teaches Gen-Zers, I have mixed feelings about this book. While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on Gen-Z characteristics, I find the explanations lacking depth. Some pages even admit to gaps in knowledge, contradicting the book's bold claims: EVERYTHING you don’t know about Gen-Z but Should.
One concern is that the book might inadvertently enable rude behavior among Gen-Zers and must be accepted. Additionally, a significant portion of the book focuses on applauding Gen-Zers for discussing sensitive topics like suicide and mental illness, which some might find redundant.
There are also chapters that seem unnecessary, such as Gen-Zers' love for their grandparents (I mean, everyone does right?) or their habits on Instagram such as having fake accounts on instagram to watch others but never post their own pictures (which annoyed me so much til the extent that I make a new account for my close friends who post real pictures of themselves 🥲) Some of these details can be frustrating.
Overall, "What Would Gen Z Do?" left me unsatisfied, earning a 1/5 rating in my view. I received this review copy from @times.reads & @putrifariza.
Most explanations are written briefly in just 1-2 pages max, making it readable in one sitting. The explanations are based on the author’s experience dealing with Gen-Zers through his conversation and observation. The pages are colourful and bright suitable with Gen-Zers.
As a Millennial who interacts with and teaches Gen-Zers, I have mixed feelings about this book. While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on Gen-Z characteristics, I find the explanations lacking depth. Some pages even admit to gaps in knowledge, contradicting the book's bold claims: EVERYTHING you don’t know about Gen-Z but Should.
One concern is that the book might inadvertently enable rude behavior among Gen-Zers and must be accepted. Additionally, a significant portion of the book focuses on applauding Gen-Zers for discussing sensitive topics like suicide and mental illness, which some might find redundant.
There are also chapters that seem unnecessary, such as Gen-Zers' love for their grandparents (I mean, everyone does right?) or their habits on Instagram such as having fake accounts on instagram to watch others but never post their own pictures (which annoyed me so much til the extent that I make a new account for my close friends who post real pictures of themselves 🥲) Some of these details can be frustrating.
Overall, "What Would Gen Z Do?" left me unsatisfied, earning a 1/5 rating in my view. I received this review copy from @times.reads & @putrifariza.
March 23, 2023
4.0 stars. A very easy read. I have 4 children in Gen-Z, those born between 1997 and 2013. My kids are all smart, creative, beautiful, and kind (of course I may be biased). This book helped me to pause and think and consider the ways this generation may look at things differently than me. One of the most important things in my life is my relationship with my children. Some things that stood out:
“Gen-Z procrastinators…we all eventually reach the same destination if we work at it, but we may take different routes to get there, and that’s okay”
“ there will be times when we each win and when we each lose, and learning to understand and embrace both is critical”
When asked who they go to when they need help - the answer was each other.
“What do you want me to tell the world about your generation? We want respect and people to listen to us.” Me: great answer and I think all generations would say the same.
The biggest question, “Gen-Zers are so open and courageous about their mental health struggles…then why do they still have the highest suicide rate of any generation in history?”
“Gen-Z procrastinators…we all eventually reach the same destination if we work at it, but we may take different routes to get there, and that’s okay”
“ there will be times when we each win and when we each lose, and learning to understand and embrace both is critical”
When asked who they go to when they need help - the answer was each other.
“What do you want me to tell the world about your generation? We want respect and people to listen to us.” Me: great answer and I think all generations would say the same.
The biggest question, “Gen-Zers are so open and courageous about their mental health struggles…then why do they still have the highest suicide rate of any generation in history?”
January 16, 2025
Sweeping generalisations made very confidently from what was entirely anecdotal evidence: no empirical research of any kind. It’s a very pretty book, but I was after something a bit more substantial than just nice design. It’s more reflexive than informative, and readers of non-fiction usually do want some actual information.
February 10, 2023
This book was okay. I liked the design a lot. It seemed more like “how to talk to a new generation” versus how to talk to Gen Z in particular.
July 28, 2023
Quick read. Whether you are teaching, mentoring or raising a GenZer this is insightful.
December 16, 2023
Quick read, basic info. There are some good activities to try. The book read "rushed" to me, though. I wish there was more depth and not as many generalizations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews