The workism con: On Gen Z, quiet quitting, and work-life balance

One of the joys of aging is developing the wisdom to see through long-held norms or, at a minimum, cast an experienced, critical eye on things you’ve long taken for granted. Of course, it’s also crushingly depressing when you realize younger generations are already a step ahead of you, which is nature’s way of reminding us of our ultimate dispensability.

Take work. For the past three years, headlines have burst with examinations of everything from the dramatic shift to remote work to the strains of balancing professional and personal lives, the “quiet quitting” phenomenon, and general existential angst about if and when work will return to the way it once was. Most recently, major companies have mandated that employees get their feet back under office desks, usually citing something to do with culture or connectivity or some such thing.

It’s been interesting having a bird’s-eye view of it all. Barely a year into the pandemic, I consciously left a leadership role at a company with more than 350,000 global employees to join Leff as something like employee number 18 or so. For me, the decision was squarely about job satisfaction, lifestyle, and impact. I wanted to have greater control over how and when I worked, to feel invested in what I was helping build, and to be closer to clients and outcomes.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s what we consistently hear from younger colleagues, especially millennials (generally considered people born between 1981 and 1996) and even more especially Generation Z (those born after 1997). Apparently, within nanoseconds of hitting the workforce they knew what took me 30 years and stints as a newspaper and magazine journalist, foreign correspondent, management consultant, and writer and editor at major professional-services firms to sort out. Harrumph.

So, what have they figured out? I suspect it’s that the traditional career compact is a con. For decades, we worshipped at the altar of what The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson memorably called workism, or “the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production, but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose” (it’s also still pervasive, as any quick glance at the self-branding platform better known as LinkedIn will tell you).

This seems about right. Much stock was placed in how you answered “what do you do?” because it was about much more than how you made a living: it was central to who you were and where you were going. It was secondary whether this was truly who you wanted to be and where you wanted to go—I know because I jumped at some roles because I felt I deserved the title that accompanied them, irrespective of whether I’d really enjoy the work (or necessarily be good at it).

Younger workers seem to have this figured out. My colleagues at Leff are almost all younger than me and, for them, the relevant question doesn’t seem to be what they do but who they are—what drives them intrinsically and how they can best maintain this authenticity. This also means they view the likelihood of a job providing long-term happiness, creative fulfillment, and their life’s purpose as vanishingly slim.

This is why the headlines of the past three years have driven many to distraction. Workers are reasonably asking why they should return to offices—and endure commuting and other inconveniences—when they’re able to work just as effectively elsewhere. They’re wondering why it’s called “quiet quitting” when you’re doing your job and doing it well, simply not feeling obligated to go above and beyond. And they’re steadfastly refusing to sacrifice the rest of their lives—the parts that contribute deeply to who they truly are—in the service of jobs that often fail to reciprocate their dedication and loyalty.

It’s admittedly a little jarring for those of us who began our careers surrounded by people spending decades at a single employer—and imagining that future for ourselves. The theory was such dedication would be rewarded—financially, yes, but emotionally too—by companies that recognized your worth and celebrated it by doing the right thing. Well, it ain’t like that anymore—if it ever was. Watching thousands of tech workers get fired by email is surely the ultimate demonstration of, as Elizabeth Spiers said in the New York Times, “what employers really think of their workers” (and that’s before considering the tens of billions of dollars some companies are sitting on yet are apparently unwilling to dip into to preserve the jobs and livelihoods of their colleagues).

So, where to from here? For companies large and small—Leff included—the good news is employees are driving their own agendas and really don’t expect organizations to change. That’s also the bad news: we fail to embrace the revised career compact demanded by the changing nature of work at our peril. As a first order of business, it means forgetting about in-office work as it was three years ago. The nature of work has changed, and where we traditionally worked needs to shift accordingly. As Gensler co-CEO Andy Cohen told The Creative Factor, “Our answer is to design offices that are destinations, not obligations. Places where people want to be, that offer experiences and amenities they can’t find anywhere else.”

More fundamentally, companies need to embrace the fact that their employees are finding fulfillment from multiple sources. That’s a good thing—placing too much stock in anything or anyone to make you happy is a fool’s errand. I have clear professional guardrails to protect time with my kids, ensure workplace flexibility, and avoid unnecessary meetings (especially at crazy hours). None of these are because I’m not dedicated or I don’t recognize the need to often go above and beyond; they’re simply so I can bring my best self to every part of my life.

So, in case it’s not said often enough, thanks Gen Z. You’re wise beyond your years or, more likely, wise because of your youth. Let me know if you want to hear how great life was before social media.

Privacy Policy:

1. Introduction
LEFF is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your information when you interact with our website, services, and communication channels.

2. Information We Collect
We collect personal data that you provide to us, such as:
// Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number
// Business Information: Company name, job title, industry
// Message Content: Information included in messages you send us

3. How We Use Your Information
We process your data for the following purposes:
// To respond to inquiries and provide requested services
// To improve our services based on user feedback
// With consent, to send marketing communications related to our products, services, and industry insights

4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on:
// Consent: Where you’ve opted into marketing communications
// Legitimate Interest: When processing is necessary to respond to inquiries or improve services

5. Data Sharing
We do not share your personal data with third parties unless required by law or necessary to fulfill your request.

6. Data Retention
Your data will be stored securely and retained only as long as needed to fulfill your request or comply with legal obligations.

7. Your Rights
You have the right to:
// Access your personal data
// Rectify inaccuracies
// Request deletion of your data (under certain conditions)
// Withdraw consent for marketing at any time

8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your data.

9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page.

Contact Us
If you have questions or requests regarding your data, please contact us at wordpress@leffcommunications.com.

Senior adviser

Allan elevates thought leadership with a veteran editor’s perspective on distinctive content and a journalist’s eye for trends in world events. He began his career as a writer and editor covering business, economics, and the environment for the Tallahassee Democrat, the Miami Herald, The New York Times, and The International Herald Tribune in Paris. Allan went on to work at McKinsey & Company for more than 20 years in Europe, Asia, and North America, where he specialized in emerging markets and shaped global thought leadership as editor in chief and editorial board member of the McKinsey Quarterly. At LEFF, Allan works with colleagues and clients to launch new projects, and he uses his expertise to support the professional development of LEFF’s team of editors.

 

VP, sustainability group

Katie is passionate about the power of storytelling to motivate audiences to action, particularly concerning environmental and public sector issues, which have been the throughline of her multifaceted career. She has managed a water project for the World Bank, been one of the United Kingdom’s climate security negotiators at NATO, helped design green strategies for several governments as a McKinsey & Company consultant, and taught courses on writing for public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Based in Brussels, Katie leads the LEFF Sustainability Group and is LEFF’’s resident expert on the fast-evolving world of sustainability and ESG regulations (including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). She is happiest when working with clients—and the rest of the LEFF team—–on anything from videos and infographics to marquee reports.

 

VP, marketing and business development

Chad has brought brand narratives to life for more than 15 years by developing powerful stories, inspiring stakeholders with unique marketing campaigns, and building communities of enthusiastic audiences. Chad honed his approach to content as a sales and marketing executive for Disney and ESPN Media Networks, where he used storytelling to increase revenue for mobile and linear-channel products. Since then, he has held several senior marketing roles across healthcare, education, and technology companies. Most recently, Chad was the vice president of corporate marketing at Telarus, where he developed comprehensive branding initiatives across multiple technology disciplines, including cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. Chad joined LEFF in 2024, and he’s excited to launch innovative marketing strategies that drive growth and deliver transformative results.

Senior adviser

Mary is a data visualization expert with a rare combination of talents. Trained as a fine artist, she also enjoys writing, advanced math, and learning new skills; she taught herself coding and UX, and she’s continued to build valuable proficiencies that keep her on the cutting edge of content. Prior to joining LEFF, Mary worked at McKinsey & Company, developing the precise, engaging charts that have become a hallmark of the firm’s widely read publications. Today, she collaborates with LEFF editors and clients to distill even the most complex ideas into compelling, intuitive data visualizations. By asking the right questions and determining the best formats, she ensures data visuals amplify key insights.

Senior adviser

Peter is an expert at developing clear, compelling stories about complex subjects—a skill that’s served him well as an award-winning journalist, editor, and book author. A former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and writer for Fortune magazine, Peter also spent seven years at the McKinsey Global Institute, where he stayed at the forefront of major trends in business and technology as a senior editor and editorial director. Peter has also written five nonfiction books, including a bestseller in France, where he currently resides. He brings his unique perspective as a collaborative, tactical thought partner to his work at LEFF by uniting stakeholders, upholding a high standard of quality, and ensuring content is well-structured and aligned with client needs.

People director

Tracy built her career in people operations by developing a wide range of skills; because of her many capabilities, she refers to herself as the “Swiss army knife of HR.” But Tracy’s work goes beyond typical human resources functions: She’s committed to elevating the complete employee experience. She draws on her work across industries—including roles at Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, and the American Medical Association—to promote a workplace culture of openness and acceptance, and she’s guided by her empathic nature and willingness to embrace a challenge. In everything from implementing new processes for feedback and evaluation and supporting employees through times of great change, Tracy makes LEFF a special place to work by ensuring that everyone feels welcome, valued, and seen.

 

Design director

Christa was always drawn to art and design, and over time, she also discovered a passion for progress: She’s motivated by meeting goals, building teams, and refining the many small steps between concept and content. Christa built the foundation of her design career at an advertising agency before moving on to the marketing department of a healthcare university, where she oversaw print and digital projects as a graphic designer, senior creative and brand specialist, and creative services manager. Today, Christa is excited to explore the possibilities of LEFF’s ever-growing content offerings, lead a group of creative designers, and use her experience and strategic design thinking to deliver outstanding results for clients. 

 

Production director

Jen approaches copy with a clear philosophy: Edit in service of the reader. She began her career in journalism, where editing newspaper copy on the second shift meant meeting tight daily deadlines and making quick decisions. Roles as a senior editor, executive editor, and director of editorial production followed, and Jen used her good judgment and love for the written word to elevate copy for entertainment news and B2B publications. Whether navigating the intricacies of highly specialized style guides or constructing crosswords in her free time, Jen is at home in the possibilities of language. At LEFF, she leads the production department: a collaborative, adaptable team that maintains our—and Jen’s—deep commitment to quality and clarity.

 

VP, client strategy and operations

Joe has more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of marketing and operations, having honed his skills working with global brands such as The Home Depot, Kraft, McDonald’s, and Pepsico. Joe’s passion for this work was ignited when he had the opportunity to open and lead a Canadian office for a marketing agency. His understanding of the relationship between effective operations and exceptional service led to superior client outcomes and the location quadrupling in size over five years. At LEFF, Joe is dedicated to strengthening this relationship, ensuring that the company’s clients receive not just outstanding content but also an unparalleled experience. He sees LEFF’s employees as the key to that experience and is committed to ensuring the team has the tools, processes, and resources needed to do their best work.

VP, content marketing

Karianne has a unique history of engaging audiences and telling stories. After studying music, she found new ways to express herself in the world of branding. Her more than 20 years in marketing and strategy are a testament to her ability to bridge business and creative mindsets, and she has developed content to communicate the ethos of global brands such as GE, State Farm, Motorola, and Procter & Gamble. Prior to joining LEFF in 2024, Karianne was vice president of digital at Weber Shandwick, led workshops at General Assembly, founded her own business, became a certified well-being expert, and released an album. As the lead of LEFF’s content marketing team, she looks forward to helping clients discover new opportunities to make an impact with lively, thoughtful content.

SVP, content innovation

Luke has crafted a writing life by pursuing—and creating—fresh opportunities. As a newspaper journalist in his native Australia and then as a foreign correspondent, freelance writer, editor, and management consultant, Luke developed the keen editorial eye and strategic perspective that has led him to the forefront of thought leadership and B2B publishing. Luke has helped leading organizations share transformative insights through print media and emerging digital platforms. Before joining LEFF, he was an executive editor at McKinsey & Company, managing director of Deloitte Insights, and global editor in chief for EY. Always driven to match the medium to the message, Luke collaborates with LEFF’s content marketing, editorial, and design departments to showcase clients’ most important ideas.

Partner

Alia approaches content like a conversation: She listens to clients to learn about their goals and responds with strategies that resonate with their audiences. Alia is an expert at translating ideas into smart, compelling integrated campaigns, and her experience in the agency world honed her abilities as a versatile creative partner and insightful innovator for enterprise clients such as Toyota, Kaiser Permanente, and Allstate. She got her start in publishing after living and working in Ukraine, where she focused on HIV/AIDS education and grant writing. At LEFF, she has assembled a team of multifaceted creatives who tell clients’ exciting, meaningful stories across channels and formats.

Founder and President

Scott started LEFF in 2010 with the drive to make something new, and he’s committed to leading a creative team that says “yes” to a challenge. Scott’s early experiences playing music and managing a band gave him a chance to harness the power of promotion, cultivate strong professional relationships, and address problems with original solutions. As a managing editor of the McKinsey Quarterly and director of publications for Chicago 2016, the city’s Olympic bid organization, he continued to make bold decisions and explore ways to create distinct, powerful content. Now, Scott is helping clients achieve their goals with content that meets today’s complex business needs and strategies that position them for future success.