Gen Z workers—those born roughly between 1997 and 2012—do not inherently communicate better or worse than older generations. However, they have developed communication habits shaped by the unique challenges of their time. For example, a Gen Z employee in her 20s working at a small café and restaurant run by a Gen X owner texted her boss to inform him she would be late. The boss was frustrated, expecting a phone call instead. The employee felt texting was more considerate, not wanting to take up her boss’s time. Both believed they were communicating respectfully, but their definitions of respect were shaped by different experiences and expectations. The oldest members of Gen Z are now approaching 30, while the youngest are still in high school or college. Many older Gen Z individuals experienced college, internships, or their first jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when much of communication shifted to online platforms. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence is changing how people interact and communicate in both personal and professional settings. These factors have influenced how Gen Z approaches workplace communication, often favoring digital and concise methods. One common point of tension is the balance between openness and professionalism. A Gen Z worker with severe anxiety shared personal details with a baby boomer manager, who, while sympathetic, felt uneasy about the level of personal information. Many older workers were raised to maintain strict boundaries between personal and professional life, while Gen Z grew up in a culture where discussions about mental health and well-being are more open and normalized. This difference in values can lead to misunderstandings if not addressed. Nonverbal communication—like reading a room through facial expressions or tone—has also become more challenging for Gen Z. Many of them were 18 or 19 in 2020, when classes, internships, and early jobs moved online. Without face-to-face interactions, it was harder to learn how to interpret subtle cues. As a result, managers should provide explicit feedback rather than relying on nonverbal signals, such as a disappointed look on a Zoom call. Clear expectations are also essential. For example, a manager might say, “I need this by Friday,” expecting a response earlier in the week, while a Gen Z employee might assume the deadline is just before the end of the day. A survey of 250 Gen Z professionals highlighted that clear expectations, fairness, and empathetic communication are key to workplace satisfaction. As artificial intelligence continues to change how people communicate—allowing for faster interactions but not necessarily deeper understanding—it becomes even more important for managers and employees to align on communication styles. Workplace norms are not universal; they are shaped by the technologies, historical moments, and cultural shifts that define each generation. Gen Z, growing up in a rapidly changing world, is learning to communicate in a way that reflects their unique experiences and the tools available to them.