Millennials Now Majority of U.S. Managers as Burnout Surges 73% and Gen Z Challenges Leadership

Millennials now hold the majority of managerial positions in the U.S. workforce, marking a significant demographic shift in corporate leadership. According to the semiannual Worklife Trends report by Glassdoor, this transition occurred in late June 2025, as millennials surpassed Generation X in managerial representation for the first time [1]. The generational handover is attributed to aging trends, retirements among baby boomers, and evolving leadership paradigms. Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor’s lead economist, projects that Gen Z will account for a larger share of managers than baby boomers by 2026, with Gen Z already comprising 10% of managerial roles [1].

The rise of millennials to leadership roles is reshaping workplace dynamics. This generation, which began climbing the corporate ladder in the mid-2010s, prioritizes empathy, well-being, and boundary-setting—values that have influenced modern management culture [1]. However, these ideals are being tested by ongoing challenges. Glassdoor data reveals a 73% year-over-year surge in burnout-related mentions in employee reviews by May 2025, reflecting a “cumulative effect” of layoffs, understaffing, and prolonged stress [1]. Zhao notes that millennials, now often in their 30s and 40s, face compounded pressures as part of the “sandwich generation,” juggling career demands, caregiving for children and aging parents, and navigating rapid organizational changes [1].

The management style of millennials has drawn both praise and criticism. While they are credited with advancing emotional intelligence in leadership—emphasizing terms like “respecting boundaries” and “promoting well-being”—they also struggle with ambiguities in authority. Critics highlight the “cool boss” stereotype, where managers blur professional boundaries to appear approachable, sometimes leading to inconsistent expectations and unaddressed workplace conflicts [1]. This dynamic is further complicated by Gen Z employees’ preference for fluid hierarchies, creating a feedback loop of unclear roles. Zhao observes that the bar for effective leadership has risen, with employees across generations expecting managers to balance empathy with clear direction [1].

Compounding these challenges, many millennial managers lack formal leadership training, leaving them unprepared for the complexities of multigenerational teams and rapid operational shifts. The average number of direct reports per manager has nearly doubled in recent years, intensifying workloads for a generation already grappling with burnout. Zhao cautions that while millennials are “inheriting a tough situation,” the workforce remains in a “mid” state of stability, with no significant deterioration since the January 2025 report [1].

The interplay between millennial values and organizational realities underscores a broader tension. As this generation leads through an ongoing burnout crisis, their emphasis on empathy and mental health contrasts with the pressures of understaffed environments and rising expectations for emotional intelligence. Deloitte’s research highlights that millennials themselves seek more feedback and mentorship, yet a segment of employees—particularly Gen Z—report uncertainty about the recognition they receive [1]. This suggests a gap between managerial intentions and perceived outcomes, raising questions about how to align empathetic leadership with tangible results.

Organizations must navigate this transition carefully. Zhao’s analysis underscores the need for structured support for millennial managers, including training in assertiveness and boundary-setting, while addressing systemic issues like workforce retention and caregiving support. The shift also requires recalibrating employee expectations, ensuring that the focus on emotional intelligence does not erode clarity in leadership. As millennials continue to shape the managerial landscape, the challenge lies in balancing their progressive ideals with the practical demands of a high-stakes, evolving workplace.

Source: [1] [Millennials are officially a majority of managers—so get ready for a combination of burnout, buddy vibes, and boundary issues] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/23/millennial-managers-burnout-cool-boss-boundary-issues-glassdoor-worklife-trends-daniel-zhao/?itm_source=parsely-api]