Work for What's Next: Why Workplace Culture is Failing and How the Next Generation Can Fix It

The unwritten norms of work were designed for a different era, when work was more linear, more physical, and far less digital. Today, work looks different. Teams are distributed. Culture feels harder to build. Loyalty seems increasingly fragile.

Business leaders now face a seismic shift in how people communicate, earn trust, and make decisions―and most are unprepared. Amanda Schneider, Founder of ThinkLab, delivers a research-driven approach for creating authentic connections across generational, geographic, and digital divides. Drawing on her work at the intersection of data, design, and human behavior, Schneider exposes how outdated, unwritten workplace norms are holding organizations back and offers practical alternatives.

Work for What’s Next tackles today’s most pressing workplace challenges using a generational lens―moving past stereotypes to surface the patterns shaping how work actually gets done. Rather than treating Gen Z as a problem to manage, this book treats them as prototypes, using their instincts to reveal accelerating cultural shifts already impacting professionals of all ages. These research-backed insights translate what feels natural to digitally native workers into actionable strategies that improve communication, trust, and collaboration across any team.

Inside, readers discover living frameworks for building trust in an always-on world, supported by real-world examples, and future-focused guidance for anticipating what comes next. Each chapter offers prototype solutions designed for a workplace that never stops changing―empathetic approaches grounded in data rather than assumptions.

Written for leaders responsible for people, culture, and growth―including managers, executives, entrepreneurs, HR professionals, sellers, and team leaders―Work for What’s Next offers insights inspired by today’s youngest professionals but designed to benefit every member of the modern workforce.

What leaders are saying about Work for What’s Next

“Work for What’s Next is the kind of operating system update leaders have been waiting for. Schneider cuts through the noise to name the real shift: work is no longer a noun (a place), it’s a verb (an outcome). Most office mandates try to fix a how problem with a where solution―and this book shows why that no longer works.”
―PHIL KIRSCHNER, former McKinsey and WeWork leader

“Work for What’s Next captures the realities of today’s workplace without leaning on stereotypes or generational blame. It’s a refreshing, approachable guide for leaders who want to understand what’s changing and how to respond thoughtfully.”
―GRACE SNELLING, Gen Z Editor, Fast Company

“Work for What’s Next offers a realistic and refreshing take on the current state of work. At a time of great uncertainty, Amanda Schneider provides an essential guide for bridging the gap between emerging expectations and traditional workforce structures.”
―ALEXANDRA LEVIT, Wall Street Journal columnist and bestselling author

“The world of work is evolving at a dizzying pace, fueled by technology, shifting expectations, and new ways of working. Rather than defaulting to outdated assumptions or reactive solutions, Amanda Schneider invites us to hit pause. Work for What’s Next is a timely and thoughtful call to rethink work with fresh eyes and intentional curiosity. It’s not just a read―it’s a reset.”
―JANET POGUE MCLAURIN, Global Director of Workplace Research, Gensler