LOOKING FOR GEN Z 2.0

 

…and the Gen X and Y Leaders Who Must Guide Them

Every generation comes with its strengths, weaknesses, and habits. Today, much has been said about Gen Z — that they are entitled, distracted, quick to move on, and hard to manage. But we must be careful. It is too easy to point fingers and blame our young. If Gen Z is impatient, who raised them on instant gratification? If Gen Z struggles with resilience, who created the environment that shielded them from difficulties?

In truth, Gen Z is our reflection. Their habits and attitudes are the fruits of what parents, teachers, leaders, managers, and society at large have sown. They are our children, our colleagues, and the future of our nation. Their success is not only theirs — it is ours. Their failure is not only theirs — it is ours too.

The Current Challenge

Across workplaces, managers often tell me the same things: Gen Z tends to get bored quickly, they want promotions too fast, they prefer flexible arrangements, and they are glued to their phones. Many feel these young people lack loyalty, staying only a short time before moving on. At the same time, Gen Z is the most educated, connected, and socially aware generation in history. They care deeply about issues that matter, from the environment to social justice. They are creative, tech-savvy, and bold.

In Malaysia, however, we face a pressing concern. Too many of our young are underemployed or unemployed. Some are caught in the gig economy without a long-term career path. Others graduate with degrees but struggle to find jobs that match their qualifications. We cannot afford for our Gen Z to drift. They make up more than a third of our population. If they are not productive citizens, Malaysia cannot move forward.

Introducing Gen Z 2.0

This is why I propose the idea of Gen Z 2.0.

Gen Z 2.0 are those who rise above the noise. They are self-aware, disciplined, and resilient. They know their strengths, talents, and creativity, but they also acknowledge their weaknesses and bad habits — and work on them. They balance productivity at work with growth in their personal lives. They manage their digital life with discipline, practice financial responsibility, and see social issues not only as topics to post about but as challenges to contribute to meaningfully.

Gen Z 2.0 is not another generation. It is the better version of Gen Z — the young people who choose to upgrade themselves.

A Collective Responsibility – Preparing Good Seeds

But Gen Z cannot do this alone. Gen Z 2.0 is not simply a matter of their own willpower. It is a collective responsibility. Parents, educators, managers, leaders, Gen X, Gen Y, and even Baby Boomers — we all play a role.

Here, I like to use the metaphor of the seed. A seed has potential, but it will remain just a seed if left in a bottle. It needs the right soil, the right water, the right sunlight. Likewise, our young need the right environment, the right guidance, and the right leadership to grow. As the Malay proverb goes: “Benih yang baik, jatuh ke laut menjadi pulau.” A good seed, even if it falls into the sea, will become an island.

Our task is to ensure our Gen Z are prepared as good seeds — seeds that, when planted in any environment, can grow, thrive, and contribute. This preparation is not theirs alone; it is ours. Their character, their resilience, and their productivity are reflections of how we nurture them today.

Preparing Gen X and Y as Bridge Leaders

This is why it is not enough to only ask Gen Z to upgrade into Gen Z 2.0. Their seniors — the Gen X and Y who lead and manage them — must also upgrade. They must become Bridge Leaders.

Bridge Leaders do not command and control; they coach and guide. They do not dismiss Gen Z’s ideas; they channel them. They give short, frequent feedback instead of waiting for annual reviews. They are humble enough to learn through reverse mentorship — picking up digital skills from their juniors. And most importantly, they translate the organization’s mission and goals into values that Gen Z understands and finds meaningful.

Without these changes, even the best Gen Z 2.0 will remain underutilized. With them, we can build workplaces where creativity meets discipline, where youthful energy is guided by experience, and where generations complement one another instead of clashing.

A Malaysian Imperative

For Malaysia, this is not optional. It is a national imperative. With our economy facing global competition, with education and healthcare costs rising, and with unity more important than ever, we need our Gen Z to become productive citizens. We need them to succeed — at work, at home, and in society. Their success will drive our economy, strengthen our families, and unite our diverse nation.

If we fail to guide them, we risk creating a lost generation. But if we succeed, our Gen Z — as good seeds — will grow into strong trees, bearing fruit for themselves, their families, and the nation. And wherever they are planted, they will thrive, just as a good seed becomes an island even when it falls into the sea.

A Call to Action

At zubedy (m) sdn bhd, we are working towards this goal. Just as we once introduced the idea of Gen Y 2.0, we are now upgrading our Managing Across Generations Workshop to help both the young and their leaders rise to the challenge. Gen Z must be helped to become Gen Z 2.0. Gen X and Y must be equipped to become Bridge Leaders. Together, with Baby Boomers still playing their role, we can nurture a culture where every generation contributes to a meaningful Malaysia.

Gen Z 2.0 is not just their responsibility. It is our responsibility. And when they succeed, the whole world succeeds.

Let us add value.

Anas Zubedy,

Managing Director,

zubedy (m) sdn bhd