Conscious unbossing: Gen Z’s new approach to leadership

Evan Ullman for WorkTango

Conscious unbossing: Gen Z’s new approach to leadership

Generation Z is shaking up the workplace in ways few expected. As the oldest members hit their late twenties, they’re moving into roles that historically came with the expectation — or at least the goal — of climbing the management ladder. But many are simply saying, “No thanks.”

There’s a name for this new way of thinking: conscious unbossing. Rather than chasing conventional management, many Gen Z workers are intentionally stepping away from management paths. It isn’t about lacking ambition; it’s about protecting their mental health, keeping a healthier work-life balance, and avoiding the burnout that so often comes with climbing the corporate ladder.

In this piece, WorkTango unpacks why Gen Z is step