Bestselling Winner of 8 National Awards
Answering Why might surprise you. Instead of painting the millennials and Generation Z with the typical negative stereotypes, Mark argues that they’re the most talented, resourceful, and tenacious generations we’ve ever seen. It’s a fresh perspective that can change everything about how you interact with today’s young people — at home, in the classroom, and on the job.
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Check out the introductory chapter of the award-winning bestseller Answering Why for free! After you’ve had a chance to read this intro chapter, Mark would love to hear your initial impressions. Please feel free to drop him a line anytime or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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What is Answering Why about?
The Why Generation is a term Mark coined to encompass both Generations Y (the Millennials) and Z (currently the youngest generation). These generations, together more than 100 million strong, are approaching their education, careers, and everything else in their lives with a strong desire to understand the purpose behind what they do. From the urgent skills gap crisis to the proven strategies to motivate and inspire our young people, this book will address the burning questions faced by educators, employers, and parents across the country.
In Answering Why, Mark C. Perna shares his wide experience and profound success as both a single dad and performance consultant for schools and business across the country. Mark’s mission is to empower individuals, educators, employers, and parents to embrace the branch-creak crisis moments of life and make a meaningful connection with the young people they influence. This award-winning bestseller will help unlock the incredible potential of young people everywhere and spur them to increased performance on all fronts, so they can make a bigger difference — which is exactly what they want.
Who should read Answering Why?
Education Professionals
Today’s young people are capable of higher performance, and your job is to unleash their true potential. In Answering Why, discover the national best practices to empower your students and trainees to make the most of their educational and career journey.
Everyone in the world of education can benefit from these tools, including administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, and support staff in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, career and technical centers, postsecondary training facilities, technical and community colleges, and universities.
Employers
The skills gap is real, and it’s affecting almost every industry in America. Answering Why provides the proven strategies you’ve been looking for to recruit, retain, and maximize the best young talent out there today.
Filled with real-world examples and interviews, this book offers invaluable insights on how business and industry groups can make the most of their relationships with Generations Y and Z, driving recruitment and retention success stories.
Parents
With more than 100 million people in today’s younger generations, you’re not alone in your parenting struggles. It’s a universal desire to help our kids become self-reliant and independent in this ever-changing world that has become considerably more competitive.
Today more than ever, parents need fresh insights and tools. Lean in as author and single dad Mark shares the motivational strategies that made the difference for his sons.
What questions does Answering Why answer?
What questions does Answering Why answer?
Whether you’re an educator, employer, or parents, if you’ve ever asked any of the following questions, Answering Why is for you!
- What can we do to reach today’s young people and motivate them to higher performance in all areas of life?
- Why are the younger generations the way they are?
- How do generational differences affect the workplace?
- Are the younger generations really so unmotivated and entitled as they’re stereotyped to be?
- Why is parenting today different from previous times, and how can I do it successfully?
- Why are the crisis moments of life the catalyst for change?
- How is the educational paradigm changing in America?
- How can we improve employee retention and performance?
- How can we close the skills gap?
Video Gallery
View our collection of videos featuring Mark’s award-winning bestseller. Answering Why has been called a game changer. Highly recommend. Compelling and motivating. These are just a few of the reviews from parents and educators who have read Answering Why. Discover what they’re raving about and view interviews with the author himself.
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An extensive Q&A with the author, selected excerpts from the book, and more can all be found in the media kit for Mark C. Perna’s award-winning bestseller Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations.
Free Resources

Looking for ways to maximize your experience of Answering Why ? Here you will find multiple action guides, a book discussion guide, and an exclusive Answering Why Career Conversation Starter to help get the most out of this award-winning book.
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