WTF Is Going On in Our 20s? An NYU Professor Breaks It Down

If there’s one thing Suzy Welch isn’t shy about, it’s her love for Gen Z. The author, business executive, and all-around powerhouse recently joined the House Guest podcast with Kenzie Elizabeth to share her insights, experiences, and an enthusiastic pep talk for you if you’re in your twenties. 

Here’s a shocking reality check: Only 17% of people know what values are, and only 7% can name their own. “You’ll go to school and know the volume of a cylinder, and you’ll know how to play the recorder,” Welch says with a laugh, “but you will not know what a value is or what yours are.” 

And much like that cool auntie who believed in your dreams when your parents didn’t think you’d amount to a hill of beans, Welch is here with her (virtual) pom-poms—and better yet, an actual game plan for figuring it all out.

The Ultimate Gen Z Cheerleader

During her conversation on House Guest, Welch celebrated Gen Z while pushing back against the tired “lazy generation” narrative. Her take? That apparent “laziness” is thoughtful skepticism. “They saw what happened to their parents when they threw it all in for a company and then get laid off in their fifties, or the family blew up because of it,” she explains. “It’s not laziness. It’s a kind of healthy skepticism about giving your life to an organization because they’re not going to give it back the way you’re giving it.” So, instead of feeling guilty about questioning traditional work patterns, lean into asking those hard questions. That’s your superpower.

The Three D’s of Living

According to Welch, there are three ways to live life:

• Default: Stuff just happens to you (how 99% of people live)
• Deliberation: Starting to have intention around your choices
• Design: Becoming the actual author of your life

“You don’t want to get to 65 years old and be at your birthday party and think, I just squandered it,” she says.

Lessons from O, The Oprah Magazine

Before Welch became the Gen Z whisperer we didn’t know we needed, she had a defining career moment while working at O, The Oprah Magazine. There, she discovered her core values—a revelation shaping her career and worldview.

Welch described the moment as pivotal in her life: “I was surrounded by these incredible women, all of whom had this uncanny ability to tap into their values and let them guide their decisions. It hit me like a ton of bricks: What are my values? What’s guiding my decisions?”

For Welch, it came down to three core values: integrity, optimism, and a relentless pursuit of growth. She explained how these values became her North Star, guiding her through personal and professional challenges. “Once you figure out your values, everything else becomes a little clearer,” she said. “You stop wasting time on things that don’t align with who you are.”

Here’s Welch’s 10-10-10 framework you can use right now if facing a big decision. Ask yourself:

• How will this choice impact me in 10 minutes? 
• What about 10 months?
• Where will it lead to in 10 years?

Why Core Values Matter More Than Ever

If there’s one thing you can take away from Welch’s journey, it’s the importance of identifying and living by your core values. Dig deep into yourself and identify what makes you tick. Be the generation that calls out performative activism and challenges power structures every day. 

Think of values like your personal GPS.  There are 15 core human values, ranging from work centrism (making work your organizing principle) to eudaimonia (prioritizing pleasure and self-care). Finding your sweet spot among them is crucial—especially in your twenties.

Quick tip: Pay attention to value conflict in your relationships. As Welch notes, “When you run into trouble in your 30s, it’s because you had different levels of eudaimonia and work centrism.” 

Suzy’s Take on Work, Life, and Everything in Between

One of the most refreshing parts of Welch’s interview was her candid take on work-life balance—or, as she calls it, work-life harmony. “Balance makes it sound like everything has to be equal, and that’s just not realistic,” she said. “Harmony is about finding a rhythm that works for you. Some days, work will take center stage. On other days, it’s your family or your friends. The key is to not feel guilty about it.”

Welch’s perspective feels especially relevant in a world where the pursuit of wellness and intentional living replaces hustle culture. She’s all for the shift. “You’re rewriting the rules of what success looks like, and I’m here for it,” she said. “Keep going. Keep setting boundaries. You’re teaching the rest of us how it’s done.”

And Welch also reminds us that yes, unfortunately, your twenties are supposed to break you. But she continues, using a Japanese art metaphor called kintsugi: “Where you are broken, you are the most valuable, the most powerful, the most helpful to other people.” Your cracks can be beautiful!

Suzy Welch Is in Your Corner

The next time you feel like the world is too much, remember Welch’s words: “You have what it takes. You’re already changing the world, one brave decision at a time.”

If you haven’t already, listen to her episode on House Guest. You’ll feel seen, inspired, and ready to take on whatever comes next. Three Quick Steps to Start: 

1. Write down what you think your values are (hint: it’s more than just “family” and “financial security”)
2. Ask yourself which of the three D’s you’re living in: Default, Deliberation, or Design
3. Remember Welch’s mosaic theory: “Every person you meet is a tile in the mosaic of your life.” Not everyone or everything needs to be your whole picture.

As Welch would say, “Everything is going to be okay. And even if it’s not okay, it’s going to be okay.”