Germany, Japan, South Korea, and many more major economies face the same problem: Gen Z.

CLIENT: Yeditepe University Istanbul | WORKSHOP/EVENT: Keynote Speech  | Istanbul, 04.03.2025

But is it really a problem?

A quick search reveals a key insight:

• Parents complain that their kids lack motivation to learn or have no clear idea of what they want to become.
• Social media is full of memes and videos mocking Gen Z’s work attitudes.
• Employers say they are difficult to work with and less engaged, with more frequent absences due to mental health concerns.
• Surveys indicate that even Gen Z workers acknowledge generational tensions in the workplace.

So, is Gen Z really the issue? Or is something else going on?
Last year, when I was first invited to speak about Gen Z at DigitalDay 2024 in Bulgaria, I hesitated. However, as a single father raising a Gen Z daughter, I shared many of these concerns. As an employer, I had also encountered similar challenges. So, I decided to dig deeper.

What I discovered completely changed my perspective—and it might change yours, too.

There is an inevitable clash of work-life attitudes:

• The Silent Generation, Boomers, and Gen X sacrificed their personal lives for work, seeking security, financial stability, and career success.
• Millennials were the first to push for balance, valuing experiences and personal growth.
• Gen Z—where the fundamental shift begins—wants to integrate work and life without sacrificing either. They seek fulfillment, meaningful connections, and mental well-being.
• On top of that, they are growing up in a world marked by financial instability, environmental crises, and geopolitical conflicts.

So, what does this generation want?

• Work-life balance—not after retirement, but every day.
• Meaningful work.
• Sustainability—a world where they and future generations can thrive.
• Mental health. (Just look at the rising conversations on LinkedIn about toxic workplaces—many of these issues existed before Gen Z)

Given the world we are leaving them, I understand why this generation must approach work differently. Only with fresh perspectives can we rethink an economic system that prioritizes endless growth at the cost of people and the planet.

• Circular Economy
• Well-being Economy
• Steady-State Economy
• Degrowth Economy
• Doughnut Economics

By 2035, Gen Z will be the largest workforce cohort.

Will they succeed where previous generations struggled? If they do, maybe in 2045, we’ll be watching a CNN headline celebrating their achievements—just like in this video I created.