Work isn’t just changing—it’s transforming before our eyes. From shifting career paths to the growing influence of technology, today’s workplace looks nothing like it did even a decade ago. But what does that mean for employees, leaders, and organizations trying to keep up?

Danielle Farage and Mervyn Dinnen bring two very different perspectives to the conversation—one rooted in the Gen Z experience of entering the workforce, the other shaped by years of analyzing HR trends across industries. Together, they unpack how generational expectations influence everything from job satisfaction to leadership styles, and why listening across age groups is the key to thriving in a rapidly evolving world of work.

Whether you’re navigating your first role, leading teams through change, or rethinking the future of talent strategy, this episode offers fresh insights and actionable takeaways for anyone invested in the human side of work.

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Hosts Danielle Farage and Mervyn Dinnon tackle the social media phenomenon known as the "Gen Z Stare". Danielle describes it as a flat, zombie-like, and disengaged expression that is often difficult to read, particularly in the workplace or when interacting with customers.

Mervyn and Danielle demonstrate the stare before exploring its origins. Danielle cites a TikTok therapist who suggests the stare is a symptom of a larger cultural shift, where Gen Z wants to skip small talk and get straight to the point because pleasantries can be exhausting to them. This shift may be rooted in a decrease in social interactions due to the pandemic and an increased reliance on digital communication. Mervyn agrees that the nature of person-to-person interaction has changed, noting that in the past, small talk was a key part of customer service and positive customer experiences. He believes that with more forms of communication, the era of small talk is fading. Danielle adds that the many different ways to connect, from liking a post to in-person meetings, have created a sense of "superficial connection" that contributes to higher levels of loneliness among young people.

The hosts discuss how a manager could respond to the "Gen Z Stare" by being curious and asking if something is going on. Danielle suggests that by offering their own personal tips or narratives, a manager can build trust and earn the employee's attention. Mervyn emphasizes that politeness costs nothing and that in a working environment, it's important to be polite to everyone because you never know when your paths will cross again. He concludes by stressing the importance of maintaining humanity in human resources and not cutting off human interaction in an age of digital communication and AI. Danielle agrees, stating that the ability to make people feel a certain way and inspire them to go above and beyond is a skill that helps ensure job security in a world with AI.

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Hosts Danielle Farage and Mervyn Dinnon discuss a recent headline about younger workers and substance use in the workplace. Danielle begins by sharing her weekend, which included a course on public speaking and a trip to Long Island to visit family. Mervyn recounts his weekend activities, which involved an open-air concert in Kent and a walk along the River Thames.

The hosts dive into the main topic, prompted by the statistic that nearly 9% of younger workers use alcohol or drugs at work. Mervyn initially finds the headline to be "clickbait" and compares it to past workplace cultures, recalling a time in the UK when drinking during lunch was common, though not necessarily at one's desk. Danielle references a study from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine that found 5.6% of employees surveyed drank alcohol at work, while 3.1% used marijuana and 0.8% used hard drugs. The study also showed higher substance abuse among food industry, white-collar, and safety-sensitive workers.

Danielle notes that while drug positivity rates have decreased, drug test cheating has increased, suggesting people may be using substances on weekends and trying to avoid detection at work. She questions the practice of drug and alcohol testing for recreational use, arguing that workplace policies should reflect the evolving cultural perspective on these substances.

Mervyn and Danielle also discuss the historical context of substance use in the workplace. Danielle mentions a statistic that in 1971, one in ten US executives were considered "functioning alcoholics". Mervyn points out that people often underestimate the lingering effects of substances on their work performance the following day. Danielle concludes the conversation by suggesting that the concept of using "uppers" to get through the workday is not new, but the methods have changed. She highlights the rise of supplements and other "healthier ways" to achieve a boost, noting a shift from traditional substances to things like "functional mushrooms" and "neuro gum".

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In this episode of From X to Z, Mervyn Dinnen and Danielle Farage dive into the messy middle of workplace transformation—where systems are shifting, but expectations haven’t caught up.

They explore the gap between what organizations say they want (innovation, agility, inclusion) and what they actually support through policy, leadership, and structure.

From the myth of “readiness” to the dangers of waiting for permission to act, Mervyn and Danielle challenge conventional thinking and offer a more adaptive, human lens for navigating change.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between old models and new realities, this episode will resonate.

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Mervyn Dinnen and Danielle Farage tackle the tension between policy and people in today’s evolving workplace.

They discuss how rigid compliance structures can clash with human-centered values, explore the risks of over-regulating culture, and examine the growing disconnect between leadership intent and employee experience.

The conversation covers hot topics like return-to-office mandates, performance surveillance, trust erosion, and why nuance is essential for modern HR.

For anyone navigating the complexities of leading with both structure and empathy, this episode offers honest insights and practical perspective.

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In this episode of From X to Z, Mervyn Dinnen and Danielle Farage explore the evolving expectations around work, performance, and success across generations.

They unpack how younger workers are redefining ambition, why traditional career paths are being questioned, and what this all means for leaders trying to retain and engage top talent.

This candid conversation touches on burnout, work-life integration, the value of transparency, and how to create cultures where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

If you're rethinking how to build trust and drive performance in today’s world of work, this episode is a must-listen.

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In this episode of From X to Z, Mervyn Dinnen and Danielle Farage explore why organizational change is so hard to implement—and what leaders can do about it.

They break down the emotional and structural barriers that cause resistance, discuss the importance of clarity and trust, and share real-world insights on how to lead change that actually sticks.

Topics include why change initiatives often fail, how generational perspectives shape adoption, and what it takes to move people and culture forward in today's dynamic work environment.

If you’re navigating change at any level, this conversation is full of practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

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Live from the UNLEASH America expo floor, Mervyn Dinnen sits down with Heidi Barnett, President of Talent Acquisition at isolved, to explore the evolution of TA through strategic integrations, AI innovation, and generational shifts in the workforce.

Heidi shares the story behind the transition from ApplicantPro to isolved, the rise of smaller recruiting teams handling more complexity, and why efficiency—without losing the human touch—is the name of the game. They dive into how AI is reshaping recruiter roles, candidate expectations, and entry-level hiring, and what companies must do now to adapt to changing talent dynamics.

Takeaways include:

🎙 Presented by Purple Acorn Network

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Jocelyn King, CEO of Virgil HR, joins Mervyn Dinnen live from UNLEASH America to share how she's transforming the HR compliance landscape through automation and AI. Drawing on her experience as a global HR leader, Jocelyn explains the compliance headaches that inspired her to build Virgil’s prescriptive legal chatbot—and how it's helping HR teams stay compliant across multiple states without legal degrees or endless Google searches.

They explore what HR teams need to know about evaluating AI tools, how to build cross-functional advisory boards, and why remote and hybrid work models have made compliance even more complex. Plus, Jocelyn offers a sneak peek at what's next for Virgil HR and her vision for the future of AI-driven compliance.

Key Takeaways:

📍 Recorded at the PeopleInsights by HireRoad booth

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Is Gen Z too confusing—or are we just not listening closely enough? In this episode of From X to Z, Danielle Farage and Mervyn Dinnen dig into the real challenges organizations face when trying to engage and support their youngest employees. From HR leaders unsure how to guide Gen Z managers to the widening skills gap in leadership development, this episode explores why companies are struggling to meet a generation that’s demanding more purpose, flexibility, and growth.

Fresh from conferences like UNLEASH and ERE, Danielle and Mervyn share what they’re hearing on the ground—from the overuse of AI buzzwords to the underdevelopment of soft skills—and how generational disconnects are showing up in real workplace dynamics. With personal stories, research-backed insights, and plenty of laughs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating today’s multi-generational workforce.

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