Gen Z stare: why we all need bit more grace at office

Opinion

If you’ve been on social media lately — or in a meeting with anyone under 30 — you might have heard whispers (or complaints) about the so-called Gen Z stare.

It’s become one of those generational quirks the internet has latched onto: a deadpan, unblinking, mildly judgmental expression younger employees allegedly adopt in workplace settings. No polite chuckles. No wide-eyed nodding. Just blank, neutral, perhaps even intimidating silence.

Is it a sign of disrespect? Probably.

Are they disengaged? Probably not.

Are they even listening? Yes.

What is the Gen Z stare?

It is is a viral label for a social behaviour that’s been noticed and commented on across TikTok and LinkedIn and in real-life boardrooms. It’s a kind of stone-faced presence, especially visible during meetings or presentations where facial expressions are minimal and feedback is limited.

For Generation X and older millennials who were trained to smile and nod like bobbleheads in meetings (even when bored or annoyed) it can feel a little … intense.

But here’s the thing: it’s not new and it’s not bad.

Gen Z, like every generation before them, is just bringing their own cultural norms and communication styles into the workplace. For better or worse, they’re also inheriting a professional landscape shaped by economic instability and shifting expectations about work and authority.

We’ve all been made fun of

If you’re feeling a little ruffled by the Gen Z stare, take a moment to think back.

Remember when millennials were mocked for needing constant praise and participation trophies? Or how Gen X was once stereotyped as cynical, lazy slackers? Boomers weren’t spared when they started out either, they were cast as too political and rebellious.

Every generation has taken its turn as the punchline.

This isn’t just a rite of passage, it’s a reminder our habits — whether they involve excessive emojis or refusing to use reply-all — are shaped by the world we grew up in. We’re all reacting to the same forces, just from different vantage points.

When we poke fun at others’ quirks, it often reveals more about our discomfort with change than anything else.

The Gen Z stare might make some people uncomfortable but so did millennial “oversharing,” Gen X aloofness and baby boomers’ insistence on bell-bottoms.

What’s really going on

Behind the Gen Z stare might be someone who is laser-focused or someone who’s used to engaging with screens more than people. It could be a signal of discomfort in hierarchical settings or a desire not to fake enthusiasm that isn’t real.

It might even be the result of spending their formative years masked and socially distanced, observing more than participating.

Many Gen Z employees value authenticity and aren’t eager to fake emotions to appease workplace norms. That might look like disengagement to someone expecting verbal affirmations and grins, but it might actually be a different kind of respect: showing up, listening fully and not interrupting.

Of course, not all Gen Zers are the same — just like not all boomers want to go back to fax machines. Generational generalizations can be fun shorthand but they rarely capture the whole truth.

Grace, please

So how do we move forward in multigenerational teams where some people are side-eying stares and others are rolling their eyes at emojis in emails?

The answer is grace.

Grace for the colleague who doesn’t smile during meetings but still sends excellent follow-up notes.

Grace for the manager who asks for things face-to-face instead of messaging on Slack.

Grace for the team member who’s still getting the hang of virtual meeting etiquette.

We all have our hang-ups. Some of us are terrified of phone calls. Some over-apologize. Some never speak unless directly asked. Some interrupt without realizing. Some are perfectionists; others are allergic to structure.

These aren’t flaws, they’re just human stuff we carry into our work, shaped by our generation, culture, upbringing and personalities.

When we stop assigning meaning to surface-level behaviour — like facial expressions or typing style — and start asking real questions about how people prefer to communicate, collaborate and contribute, we build more understanding workplaces.

Bridging the stare

Here’s a thought: instead of judging the Gen Z stare, use it as an invitation. If you’re feeling unnerved, check in. Ask, “Hey, just checking in—was that helpful?” or “I can’t quite read your reaction — want to let me know what you think?”

You might discover your Gen Z teammate was just absorbing information in a way that doesn’t rely on grinning or nodding. Or you might hear something like, “I was trying not to interrupt” or even, “I’m still processing.”

The same goes in reverse. If you’re a Gen Z employee unsure how your silence is landing, a simple “I’m listening, I’ll need a minute to think through this” can be incredibly helpful to colleagues who interpret expressionless listening as disengagement.

Real issue isn’t the stare

The problem isn’t that someone doesn’t smile during meetings. It’s we’re still so quick to assume the worst about behaviour we don’t understand.

Let’s take the curiosity we apply to new tech, systems and trends and apply it to the people we work with. Let’s make the workplace a little more flexible and a little less performative.

Because here’s the truth: we’re all weird in our own way. We’re all shaped by the era that raised us. And we all need a bit of grace to show up as ourselves, whether that means a blank stare, a too-eager thumbs-up or a 17-paragraph email signed “Warmly.”

Maybe the Gen Z stare isn’t something to fear or fix. Maybe it’s just the face of someone paying attention. And maybe the best thing we can do for each other at work is stop interpreting difference as disrespect and just talk about it instead.

Tory McNally, CPHR, BSc., vice-president, professional services, is a human resource consultant, radio personality and problem solver. She can be reached at tory@legacybowes.com