Let’s face it: Generation Z doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to work, as they are often dubbed lazy or unprofessional. But one manager has hailed the Gen Z approach to the world of work, telling Newsweek that we could all learn a lot from them.

Sophia Gowland, 35, is the founder and managing director of Petite Agency, a social media and brand marketing firm based in the U.K. As the company has grown, so has Gowland’s team, and she now manages four Gen Z staff members [people born between 1997 and 2012].

They may be only a little younger than Gowland, who is a millennial [people born between 1981 and 1996], but their attitude to work couldn’t be more different. Gowland told Newsweek that the biggest difference is how the Gen Zers “approach work emotionally,” as well as the confidence they have so early on in their careers.

“I grew up in a culture of keep your head down, work hard, and don’t question much,” Gowland said. “Gen Z, thankfully, doesn’t operate like that. They’re confident in asking questions, setting boundaries, and being open when something doesn’t sit right.

Gowland continued: “They don’t just work to tick boxes; they want to know the ‘why’ behind what they’re doing. They care about purpose, balance, and culture—probably more than I ever thought about at that stage of my career.”

With five generations currently in the workforce, the World Economic Forum (WEF) explains the distinctive ways in which Gen Z is driving change. They tend to value a global mindset, access over ownership, side hustles, and authenticity, which leadership must adapt to.

To learn from younger cohorts, the WEF encourages businesses to enable multigenerational collaboration. By breaking down hierarchies, companies can expand to new ways of thinking and bring in fresh new perspectives. In turn, this can also break down barriers that foster resilience and creates innovation, according to the WEF.

What has also become clear to Gowland is that Gen Z has a much healthier work-life balance. She said she believes it’s in part because they have watched their elder counterparts burn out, and they don’t want that for themselves (sorry, millennials).

This is compounded with the fact that many Gen Zers came of age during the pandemic, which saw a cultural shift toward remote working and prioritizing balance.

Some might consider Gen Z lazy, but Gowland said they are just willing to set boundaries and “challenge outdated norms.”

She continued: “They’re selective about where they work and what they’ll accept, with a clearer understanding of how their career impacts their life. Flexibility has become a necessity, not a perk, and Gen Z entered the workforce with the expectation that it should stay that way. Honestly, good for them.”

Gowland has also changed some of her management techniques to better suit her Gen Z staff. Many of the traditional ways of managing just don’t fly with them, as Gowland said they “don’t have time for corporate fluff.”

Instead of sugarcoating things and overwhelming them with jargon, Gowland has learned that her team would much prefer direct and constructive feedback. It is not a harsh approach, but it respects their time and shows a level of trust. Overall, she said that Gen Z has had “a really positive influence” on her business.

“I think there’s a huge opportunity that we can all learn from. The future of work is being shaped now, and I’d rather evolve with it than hold on to a version of the workplace that no longer works,” Gowland told Newsweek.

The millennial manager posted on TikTok (@sophiagowland) about the many things she ha learned from “leading a generation that works nothing like [she] did” in her twenties. Other points she highlighted were that Gen Z say “slay” to everything, and remote working boosts their productivity.

In just a matter of days, the post has amassed over 16,600 views and hundreds of likes at the time of writing. Many social-media users related to the post, which Gowland said she hopes will start a conversation about the ever-changing workplace.

She added: “They’ve taught me that trust goes a long way. Giving people flexibility doesn’t mean they’ll do less; in my experience, it means they care more. They take ownership, communicate better, and show up fully.

“It’s about finding the right people who share the same values and want to grow together. At Petite, I’m working to build an environment where everyone, regardless of generation, can do their best work without having to fit a rigid mold,” Gowland continued.

The post has captured plenty of attention online, as many TikTok users shared what they have learned from working with Gen Z.

One comment reads: “millennial boss here and my team and I slay all dayyyyyy.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “Great slides, although how did you find a team of Gen Z who appreciate blunt feedback … !”

A third person posted: “The leader we all want to have in our jobs is found here.”

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