Applying the historical pattern, the current, all-consuming AI zeitgeist is imprinting on today's 20-year-olds (born in 2005). This theory predicts they will emerge as the dominant cluster of leaders in AI and AI-adjacent fields within the next two decades, around 2045.

The theory posits that age 20 is a unique sweet spot for ambition formation. Individuals are past high school and forming their identity but are not yet locked into major commitments like mortgages or families, making them highly susceptible to the dominant societal 'zeitgeist'.

Tim Elmore's "Peter Pan Paradox" posits that Gen Z can seem immature (tragic) while possessing intuitive authority on culture, AI, and social media (magic). Leaders must look past their unpolished exterior to leverage these valuable, forward-looking insights that don't depend on a formal title.

Unlike previous generations who respected positional authority, Gen Z grants influence based on connection and trust. They believe the best idea should win, regardless of who it comes from. To lead them effectively, managers must shift from exercising control to building connection, acting as mentors rather than gatekeepers.

An individual's career can be derailed not just by their actions, but by a rapid shift in the public's moral standards. Behavior that was once tolerated can become unacceptable overnight. As one speaker notes, 'The earth has shifted... at exactly the wrong time,' turning past poor judgments into career-ending events.

Gen Z employees often possess innate authority in modern domains like AI and social media, yet they may lack basic professional maturity and emotional skills, partly due to the pandemic's impact on their development. This paradox requires leaders to coach them on fundamentals while simultaneously leveraging their unique, future-focused insights. Leaders must listen more and coach more.

The nature of a zeitgeist shapes the resulting leadership style. The political polarization of 1966 bred adversarial leaders (the '46ers), while the 1975 personal computer boom fostered creative system-builders (the '55ers). The event's character imprints on the ambition it creates.

Despite economic pressures, Millennials and Gen Z still desire traditional success milestones like homeownership. The key difference is that the path is no longer linear and the timeline has shifted. Financial planners must adapt their advice to this new, less predictable journey.

Unlike previous generations engaged in culture wars, Gen Z's primary political motivation is economic stability. They are less interested in ideological battles and more focused on tangible issues like homeownership, affordability, and securing a financial future.