Generation Z's Reluctance to Leadership Poses Challenge for European Companies

Global surveys show that only about 6% of Generation Z employees want to take on managerial positions. The younger cohort favours work‑life balance over promotion, which makes it harder for firms to develop a pipeline of future leaders. Tomasz Szklarski, CEO of Enpulse, noted that this low interest “represents a very big problem” for organisations.

Managers are also dealing with larger teams – the average size has doubled from six to twelve people – increasing pressure on existing leaders. The trend is seen as a particular risk for Europe, where demographic shifts are already shrinking the labour force, potentially hampering companies’ ability to sustain performance.

The same dynamics are reported in Romania and Moldova, highlighting a regional challenge for businesses seeking to attract and retain managerial talent from Generation Z.