Recently, I listened to a motivational speaker, Katie Page, CEO, Harvey Norman, who made a really strong point from her experience within Harvey Norman – she shared that many of their Gen Z employees are incredibly motivated and driven in their business.
It made me stop and think – because that’s not always the perception I hear from employers.
In fact, most of the conversations I have in recruitment sound very different. I regularly hear that Gen Z don’t want to work, that they leave too quickly, or that their expectations are too high. So which is it?
From where I sit, it’s actually both – and that’s where things get interesting.
What I’m Seeing in the Market
Working closely with both employers and candidates, I get to see both sides of the story.
On one hand, I meet a lot of Gen Z candidates who are genuinely impressive. They’re running side businesses, building personal brands, learning new skills outside of work, and actively thinking about their future. That is motivation. That is drive.
On the other hand, I’m also speaking with employers who are struggling – with retention, engagement, and in some cases, attitudes toward structure and hierarchy. So the issue isn’t whether Gen Z are motivated – it’s where and how that motivation shows up.
My Take: They’re Not Less Driven – They’re Differently Driven
This is where I think there’s a real disconnect.
A lot of Gen Z are incredibly driven, but not always in the traditional sense. They’re less focused on climbing one company ladder over many years or staying in a role without clear progression. They’re also less likely to accept “that’s just how it is.”
Instead, they’re driven by autonomy, purpose, speed of growth, and flexibility.
When those things aren’t present in a role, they don’t disengage because they’re lazy – they disengage because they don’t see the value.
Where Employers Get It Right (and Wrong)
The employers who are getting the best out of Gen Z tend to offer a supportive approach – communicating clearly and consistently, offering development early, and treat younger employees as contributors rather than just juniors.
Where things tend to break down is in environments where feedback is limited, progression is slow, structures are rigid, or management styles feel outdated. And this is the uncomfortable part – what’s often labelled a “Gen Z problem” is sometimes actually a workplace design problem.
But Let’s Be Real – It’s Not One-Sided.
There are challenges. Some Gen Z candidates expect rapid progression without putting in the time to earn it. Others can struggle with resilience in tougher environments or move on quickly when things become uncomfortable. That does create real pressure for businesses.
But it often comes back to alignment – between expectations on both sides.
So, Why Hire Gen Z?
Because when it works, the upside is significant.
They bring energy, fresh thinking, and strong digital capability. They also challenge businesses to improve how they operate – whether that’s communication, flexibility, or overall workplace culture. In many ways, they’re helping push workplaces forward.
My View: This Isn’t About Fixing Gen Z
This isn’t about changing an entire generation. It’s about closing the gap between how businesses are structured and what the next generation expects from work. The organisations that recognise that – and adapt early – will have a real advantage.
Final Thought
Gen Z aren’t less motivated – they’re just not motivated by the same things that used to work. If we keep measuring them by old standards, we’ll keep missing the value they actually bring.
If you’re struggling to attract or retain Gen Z talent, it’s worth asking a simple question:
Is it the candidate – or the environment you’re offering?
Because the reality is, Gen Z are working hard – just not always in places that don’t work for them. Whether you’re hiring Gen Z or building a broader, multi-generational workforce, having the right strategy in place makes all the difference.
To discuss your recruitment strategy and be better positioned to attract and retain the right people, book a time with us 👇 We’re here to help!
https://calendly.com/kelly-350/recruitment-meeting
We specialise in Management, Leadership, Sales, and Support recruitment and can help you find the right people for your business teams – who may just be GenZ.