Meaning Making

Generation Z values _______.

How do you answer that question?

How would your organization answer it? 


For many of us, how we fill in that blank, consciously or subconsciously, will determine our work and relationships with young people. If we get it wrong, our service to and with young people will suffer. At Springtide Research Institute, we undertook research and conversations with young people to discover answers to these questions.  


Meaning Making: 8 Values That Drive America’s Newest Generations is our investigation into the values and characteristics that young people, ages 13 to 25, practice and uphold.Each chapter focuses on a different value: Accountable, Inclusive, Authentic, Welcoming, Impactful, Relational, Growthful,and Meaningful. 


We’ll help you understand young people’s core values and why they should matter to your organization.

These eight values emerged from surveys and interviews with young people, as well as other quantitative and qualitative research involving a range of resources, both scholarly and popular. Based on data collected in early 2020 through a nationally representative survey, we started investigating the practices, people, and organizations that seemed to attract young people based on their ability to embody the values we heard about from young people. These organizations and individuals, featured throughout the book, serve as helping examples for leaders shaping their own environments to serve young people better.  


Transform your organization’s culture and drive member, employee, volunteer, and brand engagement.

Featuring personal narrative from young people, as well as data, definitions, case studies, reflection questions, action items, and chapter summaries, Meaning Making is a dynamic exploration of the values that drive America’s newest generation. More importantly, it’s a guide for transforming the culture of your organization so you can attract, retain, and ultimately serve young people.