I’ve been running online businesses for over a decade now, and over that time, I’ve hired and worked with people from every generation you can think of—Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and, of course, our newest generation on the block: Gen Z. Born roughly between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z is beginning to enter the workforce (and social media) in full force. They’re the generation that grew up in a post-internet world with smartphones practically glued to their hands.
Now, if you’re a Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1964) or someone who spends a lot of time around Boomers, you’ve probably noticed that a few of Gen Z’s values can be a bit…confusing, to say the least. Sometimes these differences are fun to talk about; other times, they can create real friction.
With that in mind, let’s explore seven “egocentric” Gen-Z values (their critics might label them as self-absorbed or self-centered) that seem to drive Boomers absolutely crazy. As someone who’s 36 and lands smack in the middle of the Millennials (although we also get blamed for a bunch of stuff!), I’ve seen it firsthand.
1) The Need for Constant Validation and Recognition
One of the biggest criticisms I’ve heard from Boomers about Gen Z is their appetite for near-constant validation. Whether it’s likes on Instagram, shares on TikTok, or just a pat on the back at work, Gen Z craves recognition. And sure, who doesn’t want to be recognized for their hard work and achievements? But with Gen Z, this desire can sometimes come across as over-the-top.
Boomers grew up in a time when you weren’t showered with praise for doing the bare minimum. If you did something well, the “reward” was often not getting scolded! So, when Boomers see a 23-year-old wanting a trophy for attending a few Zoom meetings, it can trigger an eye roll the size of a small earthquake.
In reality, Gen Z’s craving for recognition reflects the environment they grew up in—one dominated by social media and real-time feedback. For better or worse, they’ve become used to likes, comments, and shares as a metric for their self-worth.
I’ve found that balancing recognition with genuine feedback tends to work best. Yes, give them praise when they do something awesome, but also be honest when they need to improve.
2) Overemphasis on Personal Branding
Gen Z is the first generation that’s fully immersed in an online world where personal branding is everything. From high school onwards, many Gen Zers carefully craft their Instagram feed and LinkedIn profiles, considering how to present themselves to potential colleges, employers, and, let’s face it, potential fans.
But for Boomers, the idea that you have to create an online “persona” is sometimes baffling. They come from a more traditional school of thought that says, “Let your work and real-life reputation speak for itself.” The concept of a “personal brand” can feel self-aggrandizing or even downright disingenuous to them.
For Gen Z, though, personal branding is just the name of the game. In our era of oversharing, being able to distinguish yourself online is a valuable skill. It’s how you network, land freelance gigs, or even grow your own following. And yes, it can appear egocentric, but for Gen Z, it’s often just strategic thinking.
As someone who created an online business (Hack Spirit), I wish personal branding was as easy when I started out! There’s real value in learning how to project your best professional self online, but there’s also merit in listening to some Boomer wisdom: sometimes just doing the work really well speaks louder than any Instagram post.
3) The “Work Smarter, Not Harder” Mindset
Every generation has its approach to work. Boomers are often praised (or criticized) for their relentless work ethic; they were taught that working longer and harder equates to success. Gen Z, on the other hand, grew up with automation, the gig economy, and remote work possibilities that made them see “traditional” offices as archaic.
This “work smarter, not harder” principle can sometimes rub Boomers the wrong way because it seems to undervalue the idea of grit and perseverance. Boomers might say, “You have to pay your dues,” while Gen Z might respond, “Why pay dues if I can do it faster and more efficiently with my new app or side hustle?”
But let’s be honest: there’s wisdom in both approaches. Boomers have decades of experience to back up their perspective, and a strong work ethic is undeniably valuable. However, Gen Z’s more innovative approach—leveraging technology and flexible methods—can save loads of time and energy.
I’ve seen 21-year-olds automate tasks that used to take entire teams to complete. It’s quite impressive. But I also think they can learn from Boomers about building resilience and stamina. A combination of both approaches is often the sweet spot.
4) Prioritizing Mental Health (Sometimes at the Expense of Work Commitments)
Don’t get me wrong—prioritizing mental health is incredibly important. I’m all for therapy, self-care, and days off when you need them. After all, burnout doesn’t help anyone. But one thing Boomers can find frustrating is how quickly some Gen Zers might pull the “I need a mental health day” card when deadlines are looming.
It’s not that Boomers are anti-mental health; it’s just that they were raised in a different environment, one that often said “push through” rather than “take a step back.” For Boomers, mental health often wasn’t even discussed openly. So, seeing an entirely new generation openly talk about—and sometimes prioritize—mental health in the workplace can be both refreshing and confusing.
Gen Z’s approach might come across as egocentric because it places the individual’s well-being front and center, sometimes seemingly above the team or company goals. But on the flip side, normalizing mental health conversations is undeniably a positive shift in many ways. The question is: Where’s the balance?
I’ve personally integrated mental health support in my workplace, allowing for flexible hours and encouraging employees to seek help when needed. But deadlines can’t be ignored forever, and the real world does require a bit of “grin and bear it” every now and then.
5) The “Cancel Culture” and Zero-Tolerance for Imperfection
“Cancel culture” is typically associated with younger generations, but Gen Z is arguably at the forefront. This can drive Boomers up the wall because it feels like nobody is allowed to make mistakes or grow. One old tweet from 2008 can come back to haunt you, and Gen Z might “cancel” you in a heartbeat.
From a Boomer perspective, the immediate and sometimes unforgiving nature of cancel culture can feel cruel and overly harsh. They might say, “Everyone makes mistakes,” or “Times were different back then.” Meanwhile, Gen Z will argue that accountability is essential, and that ignorance or bigotry—past or present—shouldn’t be tolerated.
The clash here is between the values of growth and redemption versus immediate accountability. One generation sees “cancellation” as necessary societal correction, while the other sees it as an unfair and egocentric power play, allowing the loudest voices on social media to ruin reputations without due process.
I believe accountability is crucial, but so is recognizing genuine remorse and personal growth. Without the opportunity for redemption, we risk stifling learning and evolution.
6) Shorter Attention Spans and Instant Gratification
Gen Z came of age in a digital environment of 15-second videos and infinite scrolling. If something isn’t engaging within a few seconds, it’s on to the next piece of content. For Boomers, who grew up reading newspapers and watching entire TV segments without skipping, this can be infuriating.
From a Boomer’s perspective, Gen Z’s short attention spans can be seen as a lack of depth or substance. They might say, “Can’t you just focus for five minutes?” Meanwhile, Gen Z is simply responding to how media is presented to them. Social platforms are designed to keep attention moving, not to promote long-form reflection.
It’s easy to label this trait as self-absorbed—constantly needing the “next big thing” to stay entertained. However, it’s also a byproduct of living in an era saturated with information. Their brains have been rewired for quick processing and quick dopamine hits.
As someone who writes longer articles on Hack Spirit, I’ve had to adapt to capture Gen Z readers’ attention quickly. You can’t just assume they’ll sit through a 2,000-word think piece without some engaging hook or creative structure.
7) Expecting Rapid Career Progression and High Pay from Day One
Last but certainly not least, many Boomers pull their hair out over Gen Z’s career expectations. It’s not uncommon for a 22-year-old new hire to expect immediate promotion opportunities, flexible working hours, and a salary that makes a Boomer’s eyes water.
Boomers see this attitude as egocentric because it ignores the concept of “climbing the ladder” or putting in the time to earn your stripes. But Gen Z looks at the current job market differently. They see skyrocketing student loan debts, a competitive gig economy, and countless ways to make money online. Many Gen Zers want to leverage their youth and tech-savviness to fast-track success.
The friction arises when these expectations clash with more traditional workplace hierarchies. Boomers might say, “I spent 15 years working my way up to manager!” while Gen Z might shoot back, “I can start a Shopify store tonight and be my own boss.” It’s a fundamental difference in how each generation views opportunity, risk, and the definition of “success.”
As a 36-year-old entrepreneur, I’ve seen both sides. I understand the frustration of expecting rapid advancement without paying your dues. But I also admire the hustle and fearlessness of Gen Z. Sometimes they really do innovate their way to success much faster than older generations expect.
So, Are Gen-Z Values “Egocentric”?
Well, it depends on who you ask. From a Boomer’s standpoint, many of these behaviors—constant need for validation, personal branding, prioritizing mental health over the collective, cancel culture, short attention spans, instant gratification, and lofty career demands—can appear self-centered. But from a Gen Z perspective, these are adaptations to a rapidly evolving world where technology, social media, and instant everything shape their every move.
Generational clashes are nothing new. The same arguments flew between Boomers and their parents, between Gen X and Boomers, and between Millennials and everyone else! It’s easy to see why these so-called “egocentric” values drive Boomers crazy, but it’s also important to remember that each generation brings something unique to the table. Gen Z has already shown us fresh perspectives on social justice, workplace flexibility, and the power of technology.
For me, the key is in finding a balance. We can learn from Gen Z’s embrace of technology, mental health awareness, and personal branding while grounding those innovations in the traditional values of hard work, perseverance, and accountability that Boomers champion. After all, collaboration works best when we understand—not vilify—each other’s viewpoints.
And that might just stop us all from pulling our hair out at yet another viral TikTok trend. Maybe.
