Can you imagine being in an important meeting, led by someone who just wrapped up their master’s degree, is fluent in meme culture, and instantly reads your burnout through your emojis? In 2025, that’s more than likely.
According to a study shared by Wall-Street.ro, 1 in 10 managers globally will belong to Gen Z by 2025. Yes, we’re talking about people born between 1997 and 2012 — the very generation many once labeled as “too soft for work” or “unprepared for the real world.”
So what does a Gen Z manager look like? They might not wear a suit – but they probably have three screens, a meditation app, and a strong sense of what authentic leadership actually means.
Here’s what typically defines their leadership style:
- They don’t want control, they want collaboration. Micromanagement? Outdated. Gen Z prefers autonomy, ongoing feedback, and trust-based work relationships.
- They care about the social impact of their work. It’s not just about profit – it’s about purpose. And purpose is built through inclusion, transparency, and sustainability.
- They protect work-life balance. Forget glorifying burnout. If a Gen Z manager tells you “Go home, you’re done for today,” it’s because they want the same for themselves and for their teams.
- They’re fully digital. Not because they learned tech – but because they grew up in it. They move instinctively through tools, platforms, AI, and inbox zero.
- They bring natural empathy. Raised with open conversations about mental health, anxiety, acceptance, and vulnerability – they see people, not just performance.
Gen Z brings a different kind of energy. One that values real conversations, constant feedback, and meaningful flexibility. They might not have all the answers yet, but they know how to look for them, how to ask the right questions, and most importantly, why it all matters.
At Connecting Careers, we believe generations don’t replace each other. They complete each other. Each one brings something valuable to the table: experience, courage, vision, flexibility. And Gen Z? They bring that fresh vibe that says: “Let’s do things differently – more human, more sustainable, more real.”So if you ever find yourself working with a Gen Z manager, don’t look at them with suspicion. Look at them with curiosity. And if you are that Gen Z looking to lead change – we’ll see you this October at ROMAERO. We’ve got a lot to build. Together.
