Published on 22/07/2026 - 8:00 GMT+2

For Generation Z, professional achievement is no longer tied to climbing the corporate ladder, as many now place greater value on maintaining work-life balance rather than accepting extra duties and extended work hours.

This pattern poses an expanding issue for companies already facing difficulties in preparing their future leadership teams.

"Global studies show that just about 6% of Generation Z aim for top management positions and the role of boss. This creates a serious concern for how organisations are structured," Tomasz Szklarski, CEO of Enpulse and workplace engagement specialist, explained to Euronews.

The expert notes that this hesitation stems mainly from the heavier duties attached to such positions.

Over recent years, the number of direct reports per manager has risen sharply, with typical team sizes growing from roughly six to twelve members.

Such changes add strain, as managers must answer to executives on performance goals while also guiding, inspiring and caring for larger groups.

"Generation Z has assessed the trade-offs between work-life balance and the demands of leadership. They recognise the weight of accountability to both higher-ups and bigger teams needing ongoing attention," Szklarski added.

A Challenge That May Affect Europe More Severely

The drop in interest for management jobs affects more than single firms and reflects a worldwide pattern that could strain Europe especially hard amid ongoing workforce shrinkage from demographic shifts.

"Fewer individuals will be available to work, particularly across Europe. Without developing new managers and readying staff to lead teams, organisations will encounter rising difficulties in keeping operations effective," the specialist cautioned.

Although AI continues to advance and handle more tasks, Szklarski maintains it cannot resolve the manager shortage.

He points out uncertainty around whether staff would accept direction from algorithms or if AI could truly manage people.

Guiding teams demands irreplaceable abilities such as empathy, building connections, inspiring others and making choices that consider the human elements within a company.