I'm a millennial advertising CEO and my Gen Z employees have taught me to lead with emotion first

Thu, 02/09/2023 - 05:00

Wonderkind co-founder and CEO Elle De Freitas — In 2020, Elle De Freitas, 31, left the sales world to co-found her own advertising agency in Austin, Texas. Now, her all-women team has worked with hundreds of food and beverage brands.
Courtesy of Elle De Freitas

I've worked as the CEO of my own advertising company since 2020, and my Gen Z employees have taught me a lot.
Spending extra time to teach my younger employees has paid off with a strong office culture and happy clients.
I use a unique approach when giving constructive criticism to my Gen Z workers.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Elle De Freitas, a 31-year-old advertising executive based in Austin, Texas. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I started Wonderkind three years ago in February 2020. It was my first time working in advertising after spending most of my career in sales and consulting.