If you’ve ever looked at the youngest members of your team and thought they’re “on another planet,” “not committed enough,” or quiet quitting (as some gurus say), it might be time to ask yourself an uncomfortable question: Is the problem really them—or is it you?

Generation Z, who are rapidly taking over the workforce, aren’t turning their backs on productivity or commitment. Instead, they’re explicitly rejecting outdated leadership styles disconnected from their values—methods that now seem almost prehistoric.

Your leadership style is out of date (and they know it)

For decades, leadership was straightforward: authority, clear orders, and top-down decisions. But those days are as gone as landlines, paper maps, and printed photos. You can act cool all you like, but you’re nothing more than a dinosaur in designer clothes.

Today, a leader who doesn’t listen, hides behind closed doors, and makes unexplained decisions is seen more as a relic than someone inspiring.

Younger generations don’t accept absent or indifferent leaders hiding behind flashy titles. If they don’t experience transparency, authenticity, and closeness, they’ll leave without hesitation.

What Generation Z truly wants

If you genuinely want to engage young talent, here’s what they expect from you as a leader:

• Absolute clarity: Honest conversations, even tough ones, are preferred over vague or diplomatic speeches. Less protocol, more authenticity.
• Genuine accessibility: They need to know they can genuinely count on you. Your presence should be real, not a meaningless slogan on the office wall.
• Fairness and transparency: Nothing destroys motivation faster than favouritism or inconsistent decisions. Gen Z demands genuine fairness.
• Real flexibility: Work-life balance isn’t negotiable. Don’t just pay lip service—actually deliver.
• Meaningful purpose: They must feel part of something significant, knowing their effort matters beyond just earning a paycheck.

The risk of ignoring these signals

Sticking to outdated leadership styles not only pushes young talent away but also erodes your business from within. Frustrated teams generate mediocre ideas, reduced productivity, and high turnover. When employees feel undervalued, rest assured they’ll find another company that values them. And there will be plenty of options.

How Polaris Can Help You Implement Leadership Tailored to Generation Z

At Polaris, we know leadership doesn’t change through wishful thinking or motivational quotes on office walls. Real change demands strategy, action, and genuine commitment. That’s why we offer concrete and practical solutions:

• Rapid leadership assessment: We identify what’s working and what’s not, pinpointing the gaps pushing your employees away.
• Hands-on inclusive leadership workshops: We organise interactive sessions where you’ll develop critical skills like empathy, transparent communication, active listening, and effective management of diverse teams.
• Personalised leadership mentoring: We provide tailored coaching to help you integrate new skills effectively into your daily routine, ensuring sustainable, real-world results.
• Efficient feedback systems: We assist in designing agile, transparent, and regular feedback processes that enhance internal communication and team motivation.
• Custom internal communication strategies: Together we build practical strategies to communicate clearly and authentically, strengthening internal trust and engagement.

It’s not that your employees are changing—they’ve already changed.

Generation Z isn’t “disconnecting” from work—they’re disconnecting from leaders who can’t evolve alongside them. Ignoring this reality perpetuates a model that limits your growth as a leader and your organisation’s future potential.

Adapting is no longer optional; it’s essential. It’s not about whether you should change, but how soon you’ll embrace it.

Are you ready to lead the change?

At Polaris, we support businesses in their transition towards modern, empathetic leadership adapted to today’s realities. Don’t wait until you’re left behind—start leading effectively today.

Get in touch, and let’s build the leadership your employees truly need.