As leaders, managers, mentors, and coaches, we’ve all been there: You’re working with a bright, eager young team member, and suddenly you’re pulling your hair out wondering:
“Why did they send that email without checking?” “Why can’t they manage their time?” “Why are they overexplaining everything?” “Why do they ghost when things get hard?”
Here’s the secret neuroscience wants you to know: It’s not personal. It’s biological.
The part of the brain responsible for self-regulation, forward-thinking, decision-making, and emotional control—the prefrontal cortex—is still developing well into the mid-20s. Sometimes later. This means younger staff are not “difficult” or “entitled” — they’re still wiring the very systems they need to lead, grow, and self-manage.
Let’s break it down.
First, What’s the Prefrontal Cortex?
Think of it as the brain’s command centre, where all your executive decisions get made. It’s responsible for:
- Judgment and critical thinking
- Emotional regulation
- Self-awareness and empathy
- Planning and organisation
- Impulse control
- Long-term goal setting
- Prioritizing
The tricky part? It doesn’t fully mature until around age 25. And depending on stress, trauma, or environment, that timeline can extend even further.
7 Things That Drive Us Crazy About Younger Staff—And What’s Really Going On
1. They Overshare or Say the Wrong Thing at the Wrong Time
They might speak without a filter, be too casual in a meeting, or overshare personal stuff with a client.
Why? Their impulse control and social judgment circuits are still forming. They often don’t realize what’s inappropriate until they reflect afterward—sometimes with regret.
Your move: Give feedback with curiosity, not criticism. Help them build “pause-and-check” habits before responding or sharing.
2. They Seem Overconfident (Until They Crash with Self-Doubt)
One minute, they’re full of big ideas and self-promotion, and the next, they’re spiralling over one piece of feedback.
Why? The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in regulating self-perception and confidence. Without full development, their inner critic and inner cheerleader are both on the loudspeaker, battling it out.
Your move: Normalise the rollercoaster. Teach them the power of reflection, resilience, and the middle ground between ego and insecurity.
3. They Don’t Plan Ahead or Think Through Consequences
You’ve outlined the project. They’ve nodded. Then they forget a critical step, miss a deadline, or make a short-term decision that creates long-term headaches.
Why? That’s the foresight part of the prefrontal cortex — and it’s still loading. Their brains are wired more for immediacy than for future thinking.
Your move: Use structured timelines, visible tools, and prompts like “What could go wrong?” or “What does success look like next month?”
4. They Crave Constant Feedback (And Take It Personally)
You might feel like you’re constantly reassuring them or walking on eggshells after offering constructive input.
Why? Their emotional regulation skills aren’t fully formed. Additionally, their identity at work is still in development so that feedback can feel like a verdict rather than guidance.
Your move: Build a safe feedback culture. Provide feedback frequently, consistently, and in a two-way manner. Show that it’s about growth, not grading.
5. They Struggle With Time Management
Late arrivals. Last-minute scrambling. Calendar chaos.
Why? Time awareness and organisation fall under executive functioning—you guessed it, prefrontal cortex territory.
Your move: Don’t just tell them to “be more organised.” Show them how. Share the tools you use. Help them create systems, not just deadlines.
6. They Avoid Tough Conversations
Ghosting, silence, or passive responses when conflict arises? Yep, it’s common.
Why? Emotional discomfort triggers the amygdala—the fear centre—more than the mature brain’s logic. And without a fully developed prefrontal cortex to override it, avoidance feels safer than confrontation.
Your move: Model and mentor difficult conversations. Debrief, role-play, and reinforce that discomfort is a doorway, not a dead end.
7. They Get Easily Distracted or Multitask Poorly
They’re mid-task, and then—ping! New message, new idea, new tab. Focus evaporates.
Why? The prefrontal cortex is the brain’s attention regulator—and it’s constantly being hijacked by dopamine hits from social media, phones, and Slack notifications.
Your move: Encourage mono-tasking. Create meeting-free focus blocks. Talk openly about digital discipline—and model it yourself.
Reframe the Frustration: You’re Not Managing a Problem, You’re Mentoring a Brain in Progress
Understanding this one truth can change how you lead: Young staff aren’t underperforming. They’re under construction.
That doesn’t mean you lower the bar—it means you raise your support. You lead with clarity, patience, and high expectations grounded in neuroscience.
Instead of saying, “Why don’t they get it?”, ask:
“What skill is their brain still learning—and how can I help them wire it for success?”
Final Thought
Leadership isn’t about having perfect people. It’s about developing people.
So next time you’re tempted to lose it over a young team member’s choices, pause. Remember, their prefrontal cortex is a work in progress—and you have the power to shape how it grows.
That’s leadership in its highest form.
About LeadershipHQ
At LeadershipHQ, we don’t just talk about leadership—we develop it from the inside out. We’re passionate about cultivating courageous, emotionally intelligent leaders who create meaningful impact in today’s rapidly changing world.
Whether you’re leading emerging talent, managing multigenerational teams, or building future-ready leadership capability, we bring neuroscience, practical tools, and bold heart-led strategies to the table.
Through coaching, keynotes, programs, and research, we help individuals and organisations cut through the noise and develop leadership that’s authentic, inclusive, and transformational.
Because here’s what we know: Leadership isn’t a title. It’s how you show up.
Ready to build future-fit leaders? Let’s talk. 👉 www.leadershiphq.com.au