"Human-centric" leaders balance hard business skills with soft skills to align aspirations with organizational performance, according to a McKinsey newsletter.
The insights are drawn from "The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out" by McKinsey senior partners. The book emphasizes that effective leaders must first connect with themselves to empower their organizations.
While the book does not focus on Generation Z, McKinsey noted that the cohort's values and skills are aligned with this "inside out" approach, which prioritizes introspection and personal growth.
For example, Gen Z workers value career development and aim to build career paths early. They also emphasize the importance of respect and psychological safety in the workplace, McKinsey wrote. Additionally, members of Gen Z have expressed a preference for frequent, constructive feedback from managers in order to grow, rather than a "compliment sandwich."