Rethinking “Entitlement”: What Gen Z Is Really Teaching Us
I often hear experienced leaders express frustration about Gen Z’s supposed sense of entitlement. They’ll say things like, “They expect too much, too soon,” or “They don’t want to pay their dues.”
But, what if what looks like entitlement is actually something else — a desire for self-agency?
Gen Z has grown up in a world where access, autonomy, and voice are the norm. They’ve seen individuals create movements, businesses, and careers from their phones.
For them, waiting for permission doesn’t make sense. They want to shape their own path, contribute meaningfully, and have their perspectives valued — right now.
“That’s not entitlement. That’s agency — the belief that I have the power to make things happen.”
I recently had a senior leader share with me that a student, she barely knew, reached out asking if she would be their mentor. At first, she was surprised — they’d had minimal contact and had not developed any real relationship. But as we spoke, my client began to think about it more deeply and realized — what if what she first saw as overconfidence was actually initiative?
This student wasn’t being presumptuous; they were practicing self-agency — naming what they needed and taking a courageous step to ask for it.
For leaders, this shift in thinking offers both a challenge and an opportunity. Instead of trying to “correct” what we perceive as impatience or unrealistic expectations, we can lean into curiosity:
- How might I create conditions where this drive for agency becomes a strength?
- How can I help channel their energy into ownership, creativity, and accountability?
- What might I learn from their willingness to ask “why” — and to expect more from work, leadership, and life?
When we reframe entitlement as agency, the conversation changes. It moves from judgment to understanding, from frustration to possibility.
The next generation isn’t asking for less responsibility — they’re asking for more influence. And as leaders, our job isn’t to pour cold water on that impulse; it’s to guide it toward purpose.
How might you invite more agency — in yourself, your team, or your organization — this week?
— John
My Coaching Practice
I help senior leaders and executives strengthen trust, influence, and presence — especially in times of change. If you’re curious about how to lead with more agency (for yourself and others), let’s connect for a short conversation.
john@johnburtleadership
+1.720.235.9370