What if your next boss is a Gen Z’er? Ready or not, the youngest generation in the workforce is stepping into leadership roles—and they’re transforming what it means to be a manager.

In 2024, over 10% of managers will identify as Gen Z, according to a recent Glassdoor report. As the oldest members of Gen Z turn 27, they’re following a historical trend: Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers also took on management roles at similar ages. But this isn’t just a case of history repeating itself. Gen Z leaders are entering the workforce at a time when the definition of effective leadership is evolving, and they’re prepared to meet—and exceed—new expectations.

The workplace is changing, and so are its leaders. Between 2019 and 2024, Glassdoor found that employee reviews increasingly highlighted terms like “well-being” (+222%), “burnout” (+126%), “boundaries” (+99%), and “empathy” and “inclusion” (both +79%). These trends reveal a workforce that demands more from its leaders, prioritizing emotional intelligence and holistic management styles over traditional command-and-control approaches.

Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor, points out, “Employees really value emotional intelligence in their leaders in a way that was not true 10, 20, or 30 years ago.” Each generation has raised the bar for leadership, and now it’s Gen Z’s turn to take the reins—and elevate expectations even further.

Gen Z managers are uniquely positioned to meet these demands. Growing up in an era of rapid technological advancements, increased social awareness, and a focus on mental health, they bring fresh perspectives to leadership. However, they’ll need guidance, training, and mentorship to truly thrive in these roles.

If you’re an HR leader or a company decision-maker, now is the time to invest in training and developing these emerging leaders. As Daniel Zhao emphasizes, “In order to get the best leaders tomorrow, we need to train up the leaders that are entering today.”

Equip Gen Z managers with the tools they need to succeed—emotional intelligence training, mentorship programs, and resources that reflect today’s workplace priorities. The future of leadership is here, and it’s time to prepare for a new era of empathetic, inclusive, and visionary management.

Ready to help your next generation of leaders rise to the challenge? Start building the future of leadership today.