OTTAWA: A significant shift is occurring in the Canadian workforce as the younger generation—Gen Z—increasingly prioritizes personal peace and work-life balance over traditional corporate climbing. Recent reports indicate a growing reluctance among young professionals to accept “Team Lead” or “Managerial” positions, preferring instead to remain individual contributors.
According to a recent survey conducted in Canada, nearly half of the younger workforce is actively avoiding management roles. The primary deterrent is the fear that increased responsibility will disrupt their work-life balance. Many Gen Z employees view being responsible for the career growth or mistakes of others as a source of “unnecessary stress” that outweighs the prestige of a title.
This trend has triggered a shortage of managers across various industries, forcing Canadian firms to rethink their organizational structures. To combat this crisis, companies are moving away from the traditional model where high salaries and perks are exclusive to those in leadership.
Tech giants like Shopify have pioneered a new “Craftsman” model. Under this system, employees who demonstrate exceptional skill in their specific field—without managing a team—can receive pay raises and status upgrades equivalent to those in executive roles. Experts suggest that while some companies are adapting their pay scales, others must focus on identifying and training natural leaders early to bridge the growing leadership gap.
