Aussie CEO reveals what it is really like to work with Gen Zers

One of Australia’s most successful CEOs has revealed what it is really like to work with Gen Zers and the interview act that left her shocked.

Aussie CEO Jane Lu has a gaggle of Gen Z employees, and they are nothing like the Millennials she was used to managing.

The 38-year-old founder of the successful fashion brand ShowPo said that Gen Z employees are hardworking and productive, but they have different expectations than Millennials.

“They generally have much higher expectations around growth, and they want faster and more frequent promotions,” she told news.com.au.

Ms Lu said that they require constructive feedback and flexible working conditions and she’s found that they see the ability to work from home as an “essential” rather than a perk.

It is also getting harder and harder to retain Gen Z staff.

“The average tenure of a Gen Z employee is much lower than their Millennial counterparts, so they really need to see the impact of their work to stay engaged,” she explained.

“Just telling them what to do won’t cut it. They want to understand the ‘why’ behind their tasks and the difference they’re making.”

Jane Lu is the CEO of ShowPo. Picture: Instagram/TheLazyCEO

She’s revealed how Gen Zers work differently to Millennials. Picture: Instagram/TheLazyCEO

Sometimes, the brazen nature of Gen Zers leave the CEO stunned.

Once, when she was interviewing a young woman, she made a request that shocked her.

“It was the final round of an interview for someone and she asked me something detailed regarding her role that I wasn’t across and said that her hiring manager would have a better idea. And she asked me to go get that manager for her,” she said.

“I couldn’t imagine asking the CEO to go and get someone during an interview.”

The CEO has also noted that Gen Zers aren’t interested in hierarchal structures and want everyone in the office to be equal.

“They are more comfortable in challenging or speaking up to their managers with concerns,” she said.

Learning how to manage them has been an adjustment, but Ms Lu explained that what Gen Zers bring to work is positive.

She finds them to be generally more mature and ambitious, and they always bring energy and a fresh perspective to things.

“Their willingness to challenge the status quo can drive the entire team to think differently and embrace change,” she said.

“Gen Z employees are genuinely invested in their work and have a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. They appreciate transparency, which fosters an environment of open communication,” she said.

She said Gen Zers are invested in their work. Picture: Instagram/TheLazyCEO

The CEO said Gen Zers are ambitious. Picture: Instagram/TheLazyCEO

Ms Lu said that their commitment and excitement can often elevate the whole team and that they definitely “shape” the future of work.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it is always easy managing Gen Zers; there’s been challenges. You want to encourage them to be ambitious but sometimes you need to manage their expectations.

“One of the most challenging aspects of working with Gen Z is navigating their high expectations regarding career growth and development,” she said.

“They are eager for clear paths to advancement and often seek immediate feedback. This can create pressure on managers to provide consistent support and recognition. If they feel their contributions aren’t acknowledged or valued, their engagement can wane quickly.”

She's revealed what Gen are like. Picture: Instagram/TheLazyCEO

Their demands for flexibility and autonomy can also sometimes be “difficult” to meet but their ambition is a plus.

“They thrive in settings that allow them to take ownership of their tasks and innovate, but they may struggle with rigid structures that limit their creative expression or ways of working,” she said.

“Striking the right balance between offering guidance and granting independence is really important but can be tricky.”

Despite the occasional hiccup, Ms Lu is a dedicated advocate for Gen Z workers. They’ve made her a more thoughtful boss.

“It’s made me more mindful of sharing the ‘why’ behind tasks and decisions, which keeps engagement and motivation around the actual work they are doing,” she said.

It’s also made her practice giving her staff “freedom” to explore their ideas and come up with creative solutions.

“It’s great to see them advocating for a more inclusive and supportive culture. Overall, working with Gen Z has definitely opened my eyes to new perspectives and helped me grow as a leader,” she said.

Originally published as Aussie CEO reveals what it is really like to work with Gen Zers