Is Gen Z Signaling a New Era in Leadership? The Birkman Method May Already See It Coming

The recent SBAM article, “The Unbossing Generation: Why Gen Z is Hesitant to Lead and How We Can Change That”, raises powerful insights into the mindset of Gen Z—one that values influence over authority and purpose over position.

At CCG, we see a compelling parallel through the lens of the Birkman Method. Gen Z’s hesitation isn’t a lack of ambition—it’s a redefinition of leadership. This generation seems acutely aware of Needs—not just their own, but also those of the people they lead. That signals a more intentional and human-centered approach to the workplace.

Decades ago, Birkman’s researchers noticed a dramatic shift in the Assertiveness (formerly Authority) component. In the 1950s, the norm for Usual behavior in Authority was around 25. But about 20 years ago, the norm jumped to 45—a 20-point increase. That was a major shift in how leadership showed up in the workplace.

Now, with Gen Z distancing themselves from traditional command-and-control models, we’re left wondering: are we on the brink of another shift? Could Needs be evolving once again?

One of the benefits of being a Birkman Certified Professional (BCP) is access to ongoing research and updates. When the Birkman team identifies generational or workforce-wide trends, they share that knowledge with their BCP community—keeping us ahead of the curve in helping organizations adapt.

Let’s embrace the conversation:

• What are Gen Z’s Needs as leaders?

• What kind of environments allow them to lead authentically?

• And how can tools like the Birkman Method help uncover these patterns early?

We’re listening.