At the prestigious World Government Summit in Dubai, attended by leaders from 46 countries, entrepreneur and content creator Raj Shamani delivered a powerful message that grabbed global attention: the world is failing to understand Gen-Z.
Sharing the stage with influential personalities like His Highness Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, billionaire investor Ray Dalio, and venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, Shamani challenged the common belief that Gen-Z is lazy or unwilling to work.
He explained that young people today are not avoiding hard work — they are rejecting meaningless work. According to him, this generation has grown up watching burnout become normal, employee loyalty go unrewarded, and job titles valued more than real progress and creativity.
Shamani also broke the stereotype that Gen-Z only cares about money. He said many young professionals today focus more on learning new skills, personal growth, and purpose-driven careers rather than just salary. Job-hopping, he added, isn’t new — it’s simply more visible now due to social media and digital platforms.
Another key issue he highlighted was the changing nature of corporate leadership. Many middle-management roles now come with higher responsibility but less job security and limited financial growth, making them unattractive for younger professionals.
He concluded by pointing out a growing “trust gap” between institutions and Gen-Z, stating that while young people are rapidly evolving, organizations and leadership systems are adapting far too slowly.
Raj Shamani’s speech has now sparked global conversations about the future of work, leadership, and how governments and companies must rethink their approach to the next generation.