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Conscious Unbossing: 
Why Young People Do Not Want to be Like You

With 80% of HR professionals lacking confidence in their leadership pipelines and Gen-Z being 1.7 times more likely than other generations to avoid leadership roles - companies across Europe and North America are facing a looming succession problem.

In response, ThinkYoung aims to uncover deeper research findings with Gen-Z professionals working at organisations with 10,000+ employees to understand why this is, and what can be done about it. Through 2026, we aim to unravel this leadership gap and provide evidence-based solutions so companies can both retain and promote young talent.

We invite interested organisations
to partner with us in the 2026 research
on Conscious Unbossing.


To learn more or express interest,
email us at: partners@thinkyoung.eu.

A Generational Shift in Management?

Many Gen-Z professionals are actively choosing to reject traditional management roles. The problem is there in numbers:

4th

Deloitte Survey, 2022 - 27,500 answers:

Leadership opportunities only 4th among top reasons to choose an employer.

41%

PWC Survey, 2024 - 56,000 answers:

41% would switch employers due to workload.

38%

Visier Survey, 2023 - 1,000 answers:

Only 38% interested in becoming a people manager.

1 Robert Walters. (2024). Conscious unbossing – 57% of Gen-Z don’t want to be managers. October 29, 2024; Robert Walters. (2024). Conscious unbossing – 52% of Gen-Z professionals don’t want to be managers. September 23, 2024. 

Future Research Needed

Traditional management planning needs to be changed, and how to do this needs future focused insights. 

Read our white paper to learn more about the interim insights, and partner with us in the 2026 research on Conscious Unbossing to help develop evidence-based solutions.

Deloitte Survey, 2022 - 27,500 answers Leadership opportunities only 4th among top reasons

Don’t Just Speak About Gen-Z:

Speak With Gen-Z.

And Don’t Just Speak

About The What,

Speak About The Why.

Blogs

Date

Gen Z rejects corporate ladder, prioritizes impact and autonomy

by Rising Team

Gen Z is moving away from traditional career ladders, prioritizing meaningful work, autonomy, and well-being over hierarchical progression.

Date

What Happens When Millennials and Gen Z Collaborate: 5 Positive Shifts in the Workplace

by Larissa Drumond

Collaboration between Millennials and Gen Z drives innovation and inclusivity by combining digital fluency with diverse perspectives.

Date

Hustle culture isn’t dead, it just got a Gen Z rebrand: ‘People want time to live their lives’

by Jade Walters

Gen Z is redefining hustle culture through “soft saving,” prioritizing mental health, boundaries, and sustainable productivity.

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How Digital Twins (and the Right Leadership Style) Turn Gen Z Into Powerhouse Employees

by Ellen Strømmen Lycke

Tech-enabled leadership and personalized digital tools are essential to unlocking Gen Z’s full potential in the workplace.

Date

The Future of Work Is Female - If We Change the Equation Early

by Jennifer Openshaw

Advancing gender equity early is key, as Gen Z women are shaping demand for more inclusive, flexible, and fair workplaces.

Date

by Danielle Ferguson

Organizations must adapt to Gen Z expectations now to stay relevant for the even more tech-native and value-driven Gen Alpha.

Read More

Date

Built for This: What Millennials & Gen Z Need to Know About the Future of Work

by Abby Ibukunoluwa Aboderin

The future of work prioritizes adaptability, continuous learning, and purpose-driven growth over static expertise.

Date

Gen Z want managers to change the way we work: Young people value physical and mental health and personal development over career advancement

by Margaret E. Ward

Gen Z expects managers to act as mentors and facilitators, with a focus on well-being, development, and flexibility.

Date

Gen Z Talent Isn’t Entitled. They’re Just Honest!

by Johnny Campbell

What’s perceived as entitlement is actually Gen Z’s transparency around fair pay, clear expectations, and work-life balance.

Date

Gen Z is Not the Problem. They Are the Preview.

by Silvia Oviedo Lopez

Workplace tension reflects outdated corporate structures failing to meet Gen Z’s need for flexibility and psychological safety.

Date

Gen Z at Work: What the 2025 Data Tells Us About Leadership, Engagement, and the Future of Organizations

by Agatha Harumi Alves da Costa

2025 data shows Gen Z prioritizes purpose, engagement, and flexible leadership, reshaping how organizations attract and retain talent.

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Connect with us: partners@thinkyoung.eu

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