They call it the “Gen Z stare” — that flat, expressionless look that’s gone viral across TikTok, service counters, and job interviews. To some, it signals boredom or indifference. But look closer, and you’ll find a new generation of workers unwilling to fake engagement. They want it to be real. And in hospitality, that can be a superpower.
As the president of a fast-growing global software company, I see this dynamic play out daily. In healthy workplaces, where employees have purpose, the right tools, and freedom to invest energy in meaningful interactions, that “stare” tends to vanish.
Gen Z: A new kind of frontline workforce
Gen Z will make up 74% of the global workforce by 2030, and they are arriving with a distinctly different outlook on work, rapidly reshaping the workplace.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 survey, these employees seek access to cutting-edge technology: 57% already use generative AI daily across tasks like data analysis, creative work, and project management. For them, modern digital tools are essentials, not extras – they shape where they choose to work.
