Bosses of Gen Z employees might consider this approach

Article content

When it comes to motivating Gen Z workers, ignore the fear factor.

Article content

That’s because 20-something employees don’t respond well to scare tactics, claims shame expert Brene Brown. Rather, they are motivated by a more compassionate approach.

Article content

Brown, who is a research professor at the University of Houston, hit on the subject during the New York Times podcast The Interview, while chatting about her new book, Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit.

“Just because the world at large believes that you have to be a total d–k to get performance out of a team, there is actually very little evidence of that over a long period of time,” she declared on the podcast, per the the New York Post.

Brown said she believes that fear can result in “very quick performance metrics,” but it also has a “very short shelf life.”

Article content

“I think people are becoming less and less tolerant of living that way,” the best-selling author said. “And I think we have a new generation of people who won’t work that way.”

She added: “The Gen Z-ers, you’re not going to lead them with fear for very long.”

Brown said she believes in the power of “courageous leadership,” which she defined as displaying vulnerability, leading with empathy, leading with purpose and encouraging innovation, among other characteristics.

Recommended video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

“We see a very compelling, persuasive, strong correlation between courageous and daring leadership and performance, as measured by the way companies measure performance — whether that’s quarterly stock price, retention, engagement,” she said.

Her philosophy is supported by various research. One 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey from Deloitte said that Gen Zers believe a manager’s key role is to provide guidance and support, inspire and motivate them, and even set boundaries to ensure work-life balance, CNBC reported.

Meanwhile, 37% of Gen Zers believe their prime directive at the office is to enjoy the gig, per a February 2024 survey of 2,000 Gen Zers by essay writing platform EduBirdie.

Share this article in your social network