14-05-2025
Welcome to the workplace: How leaders can champion Gen Zers to drive future success
Carsten Bruhn is the president and chief executive officer for Ricoh North America.
For most Gen Zers, new return-to-office mandates are the first time they have ever stepped foot into a physical office.
For older generations who began their careers before the pandemic, return-to-office is not as jarring, in fact it's a return to a familiar setting. For Gen Z, however, entering the workplace has come with some challenges, including differing communication styles, values and career expectations. According to a recent Ricoh survey, 55 per cent of Gen Zers report they feel less fulfilled at work versus five years ago.
The fulfilment gap presents a great opportunity for leaders across all generations to champion and nurture Gen Z as the next group of leaders.
Leverage experience
According to LinkedIn, 76 per cent of Gen Z believe learning is key to a successful career, so as Gen Zers enter your workplace for the first time, it can be helpful to lean on more tenured employees across generations to support the transition.
One way to guide Gen Z's success in-office is by pairing them with experienced colleagues through a 'work buddy' system. More experienced employees can bring a wealth of knowledge about office dynamics and mentor Gen Z employees on how to navigate workplace culture, communication expectations and the subtleties of day-to-day office life.
I regularly encourage all team members to have a best friend at work – someone you can turn to for everything from administrative processes to emotional support. If members across the organization can become people champions for one another, it helps every generation feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
Host sessions by generation
I find it valuable to hold listening sessions to better understand the distinct needs of employees across generations. These sessions allow employees at all levels a safe place to express their ideas while providing critical input for leadership looking to attract and retain the best talent. It can also reinforce the kind of culture that values transparency and open, honest communication.
Each year I meet with our summer interns to present our Culture of Excellence – a framework for purpose, attributes and behaviours that enables our business strategy and underpins our success. This ensures our newest team members get an in-depth understanding of our culture from the start. We also look at results of our employee engagement surveys by generation to better understand the differences among our team members about how they see fulfilment.
Seek unexpected outside counsel
Beyond listening to next-generation professionals at Ricoh, I often find inspiration from my own children, who are also Gen Z, as they offer an honest, unfiltered perspective on what motivates and fulfills the new generation entering the workplace.
I've learned that this generation is willing to come into the office if there is strong culture, cutting edge technology and flexibility around expectations for in-office policies. My daughter was shocked to learn that I used to come into the office everyday by 9 a.m., with a 1.5-hour train commute each way, five days a week in a pre-pandemic world.
Our shared prosperity relies on thriving employees across all generations. As Gen Z quickly becomes a major force in the labour market, the challenge will be for leaders to think about how they can connect and engage with young professionals. No one can underestimate the level of experience and expertise that will leave the work force as this new generation steps in. The need for thoughtful succession planning and knowledge transfer is critical, as is creating an environment where people are self-disciplined, engaged and motivated.
Whether through holding regularly scheduled team calls, setting weekly targets or other means, make sure activities are meaningful, have purpose and inspire action.
By fostering an inclusive, supportive and adaptive workplace, organizations can ensure that Gen Z employees not only integrate seamlessly but also thrive. Bridging the gap between generations through mentorship, open communication and a shared commitment to growth will create an environment where every employee – regardless of tenure – feels valued and fulfilled. As leaders, we have a unique opportunity to champion the next generation, shaping workplaces that are both innovative and deeply connected to the evolving needs of today's work force. By doing so, we can build stronger, more resilient teams that drive success now and in the future.
This column is part of Globe Careers' Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.
