127. How to Lead Gen Z, according to Millennial leaders Paul & Amanda from MAP

Welcome back to another episode of the Truth, Lies & Work podcast, the award-winning psychology podcast brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network.
Join your hosts, chartered psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, as they bring you inspiring stories and practical insights on building a great workplace culture.
Today’s episode is part of our Thursday interview series, where we showcase organisations that are doing amazing things to create a strong workplace culture.
Guest Introduction
We are thrilled to introduce two incredible guests from MAP:
Paul Barnes, the founder and Managing Director of MAP, a Manchester-based accountancy firm that exclusively serves the creative and digital sector. MAP has grown from a team of 3 to 34 in just 11 years, becoming a go-to firm for agencies looking to scale.
Amanda Wilcox, the Operations Director at MAP and one of the first employees, has been with the company for over 10 years. Amanda has been instrumental in developing MAP’s processes and fostering its unique culture.
Key Talking Points:
The MAP Story: Paul shares how MAP was founded at the age of 27, starting during the rise of cloud accounting technology. He reflects on how the decision to niche down into the creative and digital sector helped the firm grow rapidly and stand out from traditional accountancy firms. Amanda adds her perspective on joining MAP in its early days and how the team had to create everything from scratch.
Culture Above All: One of the most unique aspects of MAP is how they prioritise workplace culture over everything else. Paul and Amanda discuss how they built a culture that embraces flexibility, autonomy, and the constant pursuit of improvement. They share insights into how they keep employees engaged and motivated, particularly the large Gen Z workforce they lead.
Challenges of Growth: As MAP grew, Paul and Amanda faced the challenge of transitioning from a scrappy startup to a more structured and scalable business. They share how they’ve navigated this journey, including how they’ve developed young leaders from within, and the importance of continuous feedback and adjusting the business based on what the team needs.