Understanding Gen Z & Millennials: Debunking the ‘Lazy’ Stereotype

Gen Z is the new generation labeled as “lazy”, but it used to be the Millennials when Gen Z hadn’t yet entered the workforce. This is a common pattern, where older generations in the workforce look down on younger generations and assign labels. More and more, Gen Z workers are labeled as lazy, entitled, and not hard working.

They were raised in a world where a large part of work was life and life was work.

While there can be some truth to it depending on the individual–as a whole, this stereotype stems from a deeper pain that Gen X and Boomers are feeling. Statements like these stem from a trigger which is deeply rooted and engrained in Gen X and Boomers as it relates to their careers. Gen X and Boomers look at Gen Z and Millennials—who are so quick to just job hop. Or leave a toxic place because it doesn’t serve them. Gen X and Boomers cannot fathom exploring their identity to its core and knowing that your identity is not your career. They were raised in a world where a large part of work was life and life was work. Their identities are their career.

That’s why you find so many people who go into retirement and then all of a sudden start deteriorating. Partly because their brains aren’t stimulated but also because their identities are stifled. Their identities are questioned. It feels as though their identities have ended.

I personally can say that I will not be bored or feel lost when I retire. I know exactly what I’ll be doing. I’ll be pouring my heart and soul into my writing, feeling free and able to do things that are core to my identity as a person, as a writer, as a teacher, as a learner.

So these labels and titles aren’t just wrong, they’re lazy in and of itself (the irony). Because they come from a place of insecurity. Insecurity with the self, and it gets projected towards Gen Z and Millennials. But having worked with and talked to many Gen Z and Millenials–they know better. Because they see where the world is headed. They know that loyalty doesn’t pay the bills. Whereas back then, loyalty did actually help pay the bills. Gen X & Boomers were promised things like pensions if you remained loyal to one company for X years. And they were delivered that promise.

Gen Z & Millenials are the generations who will not “stick around” to find out.

For Gen Z & Millenials, there is a resourcefulness that is mandatory just for survival. Their way of life isn’t stability, because the world they were raised in lacked stability and continues to head towards chaos. So why, then, would they expect the same with their careers? They don’t. Gen Z & Millenials are the generations who will not “stick around” to find out. Because they have seen where it ends.

That toxic manager who continues to be enabled because he delivers output for the corporation. That microaggression that keeps happening in meetings and is brushed aside because “it’s not personal”. It’s not that they’re lazy and entitled, they just know better now—after observing Gen X and Boomers. They know better than anyone else in today’s world because this world is no longer the world it was before. Technology has rapidly evolved and things are moving and growing at paces that Gen X & Boomers would never have imagined. That’s why you even find elder Millennials who are also desperately trying to “keep up”. That’s why in the midst of trying to “keep up”, so many elder Millennials are just done with the rat race, and would rather go on Zillow and look for a farm in the middle of nowhere so they can start a homestead and start raising chickens for a “slower pace of life”. (Yes, this is oddly specific because it’s speaking from personal experience)

The first question when you meet someone as a Gen X or Boomer is commonly, “So what do you do?”. That’s the lead, because “what you do” is synonymous with “who are you”. For Gen Z and Millenials, it’s more typically, “What do you like to do?”.

It’s not that Gen Z & Millenials don’t think careers are important. They just know how to prioritize what pays their bills and what fills their soul.

So let’s stop with the labels of lazy, entitled, and not hard working. Because those labels are inherently lazy themselves. And instead, start reflecting on what it is inside us that may be feeling insecure when we see other people freeing themselves from the belief that their identity is their career and vice versa.

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About Ricky Koo

Ricky Koo is a seasoned corporate executive, entrepreneur, and certified Leadership & Communication Coach with a passion for helping professionals lead with authenticity and impact. With a background in Psychology and as a former Big 4 CPA, he built a distinguished career in Fortune 500 companies across banking, consulting, and technology, leading global teams and navigating complex business environments. Ricky’s unique perspective and strong instincts as a business leader enable him to successfully guide people through challenging situations while developing and fostering strong cultures.

As an instructor for UC Berkeley Extension, he passionately blends a strong technical foundation with real-world leadership experience to deliver transformative learnings on communication, influence, leadership, and career development. His approach bridges science with practicality, creating meaningful impact for audiences worldwide—from the classroom to the boardroom.

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