What the Hootsuite CEO Learned from Interviewing 500 Gen Z Workers

The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I sit down with Irina Novoselsky, CEO of Hootsuite, to talk about what leaders are getting wrong about Gen Z. After interviewing more than 500 members of the generation, Irina shares what’s really driving their decisions, including their preference for social-first communication and their shifting definition of success. We break down how anxiety, remote work expectations, and evolving relationships with authority shape their priorities. Irina explains why traditional sales tactics fall flat, how companies can actually reach Gen Z buyers, and what they really mean when they say they want flexibility. It’s not entitlement. It’s a different rulebook entirely.