A wake-up call from Gen Z

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FOR decades, middle management has been seen as a natural career step, a reward for experience and hard work. But Gen Z (those born during the late 1990s and early 2000s) isn’t buying into that narrative. According to a recent Financial Times article, they are increasingly turning away from middle management roles, a trend commonly referred to as “conscious unbossing”.

Unlike previous generations who climbed the corporate ladder without question, many young professionals today are consciously opting out of middle management roles – and not because of laziness or entitlement, as some critics might claim. Instead, it’s a calculated decision driven by different workplace priorities, shifting expectations, and a deeper understanding of work-life balance.