--- title: "When managers say \"We struggle with Gen Z !\", you'd better listen..." description: Managing Gen Z isn’t about generational theory. It’s about evolving leadership. Learn how coaching, feedback, and empowerment help managers succeed. image: https://lmibelux.com/hubfs/service-EC.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen#main-content) [![BeLux logo](https://lmibelux.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BeLux%20logo.png?width=1280&height=720&name=BeLux%20logo.png)Homepage](https://lmibelux.com/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://lmibelux.com?hsLang=en) - [Your leadership project](https://lmibelux.com/your-leadership-project?hsLang=en) - [Do something about it](https://lmibelux.com/do-something?hsLang=en) - [Online workshop](https://lmibelux.com/foundations-of-success-online-workshops?hsLang=en) - [Discovery program](https://lmibelux.com/program-showcase-registration?hsLang=en) - [Request a meeting](https://lmibelux.com/request-a-meeting?hsLang=en) - [Testimonies](https://lmibelux.com/our-customers-talk?hsLang=en) - [Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages (South Africa)](https://lmibelux.com/story-coca-cola-peninsula-beverages-south-africa?hsLang=en) - [Crown National (South Africa)](https://lmibelux.com/story-crown-national-south-africa?hsLang=en) - [Amurrio Ferrocarril y Euipos (Spain)](https://lmibelux.com/story-amurrio-ferrocarril-y-equipos-spain?hsLang=en) - [Instalcom (UK)](https://lmibelux.com/story-instalcom-uk?hsLang=en) - [Schwing Stetter (India)](https://lmibelux.com/story-schwing-stetter?hsLang=en) - [Articles](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog) - [The manager who communicates a lot, but is obviously not heard](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/the-manager-who-communicates-a-lot-but-is-obviously-not-heard?hsLang=en) - [Promoted to manager... But no one's following](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/propromoted-to-manager-but-no-ones-following?hsLang=en) - [Distraction & misalignment : the art of keeping your focus](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/distraction-misalignment-the-art-of-keeping-focus-on-your-mission?hsLang=en) - [Why new managers still do the work themselves](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/delegation-failure-why-new-managers-still-do-the-work-themselves?hsLang=en) - [We struggle with Gen Z](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) English Select a language ✕ - [Français](https://lmibelux.com/fr/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) - [English](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) [Contact us](https://lmibelux.com/?hsLang=en#contact) - [Home](https://lmibelux.com?hsLang=en) - [Your leadership project](https://lmibelux.com/your-leadership-project?hsLang=en) - [Do something about it](https://lmibelux.com/do-something?hsLang=en) - [Online workshop](https://lmibelux.com/foundations-of-success-online-workshops?hsLang=en) - [Discovery program](https://lmibelux.com/program-showcase-registration?hsLang=en) - [Request a meeting](https://lmibelux.com/request-a-meeting?hsLang=en) - [Testimonies](https://lmibelux.com/our-customers-talk?hsLang=en) - [Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages (South Africa)](https://lmibelux.com/story-coca-cola-peninsula-beverages-south-africa?hsLang=en) - [Crown National (South Africa)](https://lmibelux.com/story-crown-national-south-africa?hsLang=en) - [Amurrio Ferrocarril y Euipos (Spain)](https://lmibelux.com/story-amurrio-ferrocarril-y-equipos-spain?hsLang=en) - [Instalcom (UK)](https://lmibelux.com/story-instalcom-uk?hsLang=en) - [Schwing Stetter (India)](https://lmibelux.com/story-schwing-stetter?hsLang=en) - [Articles](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog) - [The manager who communicates a lot, but is obviously not heard](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/the-manager-who-communicates-a-lot-but-is-obviously-not-heard?hsLang=en) - [Promoted to manager... But no one's following](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/propromoted-to-manager-but-no-ones-following?hsLang=en) - [Distraction & misalignment : the art of keeping your focus](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/distraction-misalignment-the-art-of-keeping-focus-on-your-mission?hsLang=en) - [Why new managers still do the work themselves](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/delegation-failure-why-new-managers-still-do-the-work-themselves?hsLang=en) - [We struggle with Gen Z](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) [Contact us](https://lmibelux.com/?hsLang=en#contact) English Select a language - [Français](https://lmibelux.com/fr/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) - [English](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/when-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) ![](https://lmibelux.com/hs-fs/hubfs/service-EC.jpg?width=1200&height=731&name=service-EC.jpg) # When managers say "We struggle with Gen Z !", you'd better listen... ![JP Verheylewegen](https://lmibelux.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5163-3-e1696359096817-qdbx9601obe8m9czrzdc1jl25c12pik314ms6h66fk.png?width=48&height=48&name=IMG_5163-3-e1696359096817-qdbx9601obe8m9czrzdc1jl25c12pik314ms6h66fk.png) JP Verheylewegen March 8, 2026 We're hearing the same message from a lot of companies : "our managers need help managing Gen Z". The difficulties are real and so is the risk of loosing both young staff talents & managers competences, but here’s what that usually means. It doesn’t mean Gen Z is the problem. It means leadership models haven’t evolved. The managers' difficulties reveal a gap in leadership expectations from the staff and the managers. Gen Z expects: Many managers were promoted for technical excellence. The leadership side of their function was never formally considered and they learned to lead on the job. Engineers are trained on technical skills, sales are trained on sales skills, but managers are rarely mentored on leadership skills. And I really mean mentored, because acquiring skills durably means guided practice over time. As a result, managers developed a leadership style that is a product of their own experience. Their difficulties with Gen Z reveal the gap between their experience and the one of Gen Z, leading to very different expectations from either side : trust, recognition, emotions, coaching... That gap shows up fast. This is much more than a generational issue. It impacts: Running a “How to Manage Gen Z” workshop will certainly raise awareness, but it won’t solve it. It will require more than awareness, it needs a transformation and the acquisition of new leadership habits. This means applying the new ideas, practicing them, and becoming the Gen Z leader the new staff will be successful with. What works? Gen Z is not the disruption, it is the signal. Gen Z is forcing function accelerating leadership evolution. If your managers are asking for help, that’s a good sign ! The real question is: are you taking the steps and equipping them to lead differently... or just explaining generational theory? [Download our Gen Z leadership questionnaire and evaluate the impact of leaving it to chance !](https://lmibelux.com/request-download-blog-resources?hsLang=en)   ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Flmibelux.com%2Flmibelux-blog%2Fwhen-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Flmibelux.com%2Flmibelux-blog%2Fwhen-managers-say-we-struggle-with-gen-z-youd-better-listen) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://lmibelux.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mariakray-office-chair-6795421_1280.jpg?width=1280&height=880&name=mariakray-office-chair-6795421_1280.jpg) When a director leaves, is your organisation truly ready?](https://lmibelux.com/lmibelux-blog/leadership-succession-and-continuity?hsLang=en) ### [![](https://lmibelux.com/hs-fs/hubfs/startupstockphotos-meeting-594091.jpg?width=5472&height=3648&name=startupstockphotos-meeting-594091.jpg) Too Many Meetings. 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