You’re three weeks into a new job. You ask your manager, ”Why are we doing it this way?” And suddenly, it feels like you started a fight. For Gen Z, asking ”why” is how you learn, but for many managers, it sounds like a challenge. In this episode of Handled, we break down the untold rule nobody explains: there’s a hierarchy to questioning decisions at work. You’ll learn a framework for asking questions without sounding combative, the responses for managers to give context quickly, and when you should push back (even if you’re new). Whether you’re early in your career or managing a team, this episode gives you the playbook for navigating ”why” without anyone feeling disrespected.

Turn vague workplace phrases into clear actionable behaviour. Learn how to translate manager shorthand like ”be proactive” and ”run with it” so teams align faster and avoid miscommunication. Practical frameworks for managers and early-career professionals. Hosted by Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah, founder of The Y Variable.

What’s the most important skill for the workplace that Gen Z can learn according to renowned therapist Esther Perel? It’s not time management — it’s talking to strangers. Yaa-Hemaa explains why small talk builds trust, resilience, and real connection at work and how every generation can relearn it.

AI is changing how we work and how we trust each other. In this episode, Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah unpacks the tension between managers learning to adapt to new tools and younger employees who already rely on them. Learn how to talk about AI use transparently, test real, critical thinking (not just outputs), and keep trust strong across generations.

Gen Z says, “That’s not my job.” Do you push or pivot? In this episode, I give managers a simple script (Context, Clarity, Choice) —to handle boundaries without HR drama, plus a plain-English way to define flexibility vs. hard stops and what to do when “no” becomes a pattern. Early-career pros: I’ve got smart lines for you too.

Feedback is one of the hardest conversations at work, especially across generations. What a manager might see as a quick bit of critique, Gen Z or an early career professional may hear as personal judgment. What’s the result? Misunderstandings, stalled growth, and unnecessary turnover. In this episode of Handled by The Y Variable, Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah unpacks the feedback literacy gap and shares practical tools to make critique clear, constructive, and growth-focused.

Gen Z isn’t quitting because they’re lazy. They’re quitting because onboarding is broken. Here’s how managers can fix it.

Managers say, “Gen Z is hard to work with.” The truth? It’’s a translation gap. In this first episode of Handled by The Y Variable, Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah introduces the Three D’s Framework for turning vague feedback into clear, actionable guidance that builds trust and retention.

Handled by The Y Variable helps bridge workplace generational gaps, translating perspectives into clear strategies so managers and emerging professionals can thrive together.