Gen Z Wants Something From Their Bosses That Most Managers Struggle to Give

It’s not more praise or perks. It’s clear, honest feedback. Here are five ways leaders can deliver it without damaging trust.

EXPERT OPINION BY MARCEL SCHWANTES, INC. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER, AND AUTHOR @MARCELSCHWANTES

Kristen Hadeed. Illustration: Inc.; Photos: Ling Wang Photography, courtesy subject; Adobe Stock

If you lead a team, you’ve likely had your eye on Gen Z. This up-and-coming generation is making waves by being more vocal than previous generations about wanting clear, consistent, and authentic feedback on their performance.

The problem? Managers don’t always want to give that kind of feedback. In a 2026 Leadership IQ survey,........

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