When 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral primary in June, business titans across the country slid into panic mode at the possibility of the self-described democratic socialist running New York City. Many wondered whether Gen Z was rejecting capitalism outright. Was this the demise of “late capitalism” that we have heard so much about on social media?
I set out to find out whether C-suite executives should be worried. In short: No. That was the resounding answer from members of Gen Z and the people who study them in the business and political worlds.
But young people do have a demand of their leaders: Pure honesty. “I think a lot of historical communications in politics, business and otherwise have been built on a mirage,” said Ziad Ahmed, the 26-year-old head of United Talent Agency’s Gen Z–focused marketing advisory practice, Next Gen. “Let’s not say the real thing that’s happening. Let’s hide behind PR talking points.” This isn’t going to cut it, Ahmed said: “If the world is on fire, tell me the world is on fire. Don’t tell me that, actually, you might like the heat.”
HR leaders, take note: Transparency and fairness are key values for Gen Z workers, said Charlene Li, an author who advises companies on digital transformation. Leaders need to clearly state how success is measured and offer tangible opportunities and financial rewards to employees who meet these measures, she says. Additionally, she advises business leaders to take a look at the demographics of who is getting promotions and raises, and think critically about company—and C-suite—makeup.
“Diversity of thought, of background, is the number one driver of innovation,” she told me, “and really the number one driver of growth.”
For more on what Gen Z craves from their workplaces, check out my full story here.
Kristin Stoller
Editorial Director, Fortune Live Media
kristin.stoller@fortune.com
