"Why Leaders Who Ignore Gen Z's Emotional Needs Will Be Left Behind"
Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion
Transformational Catalyst Serving Elite Individuals Wanting What's Missing. Bestselling Author |Speaker | Consultant Guiding Organizations and Leaders to Create Purpose-Driven Cultures Using The Emotional Source Code!
The next generation of leaders triggered a seismic shift in American politics. In a truly unexpected turn of events, Gen Z emerged as the force behind Donald Trump's election victory.
But this isn't just about Trump, Gen Z, or politics. It's about leadership in a world that's rapidly evolving emotionally, socially, and economically. The way Gen Z reshaped this election reveals something critical for all leaders.
Whether you run a Fortune 500 company, a small business, or a community organization, the emotional undercurrents driving this generation are the same forces that will shape the future of your workforce, customers, and communities. You'll be left behind if you don't understand how to tap into these emotional drivers.
Both the left and the right were aware that the 2024 presidential election wouldn't be just another election; it was a paradigm shift that fundamentally altered our understanding of age-based voting behaviors and, in turn, how we perceive Gen Z.
For the first time in two decades, a Republican candidate claimed the popular vote. But what's jaw-dropping isn't just that—it's who handed Trump the win: young voters aged 18 to 24. This surprising reversal was best illustrated in places like Wisconsin, where the assumption was that senior voters would be all in on Trump, yet he lost their vote by double digits but secured victory with Gen Z.
What's happening here isn't just politics; it's about emotion. It's about how our deeply buried Emotional Source Code influences our decisions—even the ones we don't consciously comprehend.
What Gen Z's Rightward Turn Really Tells Us
In the past, millennials were expected to be left-leaning, driven by environmental, social, and equity concerns, and this was assumed to be true for Gen Z.
However, the 2024 election proved one thing: assumptions are dangerous, and leadership that doesn't listen to the emotional undercurrents of its audience will be blindsided—even if one side has all the celebrity endorsements.
So, what emotional currents drove Gen Z to align with Trump? Let's decode this surprising turn and what it reveals about a generation fighting to reconcile its identity in a fractured world.
"Woke Fatigue" and a Hunger for Emotional Truth
Let's face it: Gen Z grew up with the constant drumbeat of "wokeness"—every aspect of life politicized, polarized, and packed with rules about what they can and cannot say. I find it fascinating that Gen Z is now rejecting much of what we (older generations) thought they wanted. (This is a massive lesson for everyone in a leadership position!)
Why are they rejecting 'wokism'? Because, at its core, this generation isn't looking for perfection; they're looking for truth, or at the very least, something unpolished. It is emotional authenticity that resonates with them, not performative virtue signaling. This rejection signals that leaders need to adapt to changing emotional landscapes.
Trump—love or hate him—comes across as unfiltered, unscripted, and unapologetically himself. Even though many people, including Gen-Zers, don't particularly like Trump, his rawness is refreshing to a generation overwhelmed by curated TikToks and carefully edited Instagram lives. The fact that they agree with his policies becomes almost secondary; they're drawn to someone who reflects the chaos they feel about being human in an increasingly controlled society.
Here's the lesson for you as a leader: If you show up as polished and "safe," you're playing to lose. Gen Z is telling us something loud and clear: They're done with the status quo. Authenticity is the new power currency.
Podcasts, Media Distrust, and the Search for Connection
Trump's presence on popular podcasts like Joe Rogan and Theo Von's didn't just amplify his voice—it made him relatable.
Podcasts offer something mainstream media doesn't: intimacy. They feel like a one-on-one conversation. And in a world where Gen Z views most institutions—including the media—as inherently biased, this format is revolutionizing traditional journalism.
Here's the deeper emotional insight: Gen Z doesn't trust the gatekeepers. They're looking for direct connections, unsanitized conversations, and spaces where they feel heard—not lectured to. They're not interested in being "sold" a sanitized version of reality. They want unfiltered, raw truth—and if you can't deliver, they'll find someone who will.
As a leader, ask yourself: Are you still trying to control the narrative, or are you willing to meet your audience in spaces where authenticity rules?
Immigration and the Emotional Currency of Prioritization
Many urban Gen Z voters are not opposed to immigration in principle, but in major cities, the issue has touched on something more profound: their sense of value.
In cities like New York, visible spending on migrant services clashed with young people's daily struggles—soaring rents, dwindling job prospects, and a sense that their own needs were being ignored.
The pushback isn't simple politics; it's about emotional equity. Gen Z is asking, "Who's prioritizing me?"
This isn't selfishness; it's human. We all want to feel like we matter. If leaders—political or otherwise—fail to meet this emotional need, they'll lose their audience!
The Psychology of Rebellion: Conservatism as Counterculture
To understand Gen Z's shift toward conservatism, look no further than the universal craving for identity and belonging.
Many of us rebelled against our parents' beliefs in our late teens and early twenties. Psychologists call this "second-stage individuation"—a natural act of defiance to assert independence.
For Gen Z, conservatism has become that rebellion.
On college campuses dominated by liberal ideologies, embracing conservatism isn't just a political choice—it's a way to stand out. It's a countercultural movement that offers a seductive mix of freedom, individuality, and belonging.
Rebellion isn't driven by logic; it's fueled by emotion!
Aligning with Trump isn't just about policies—it's about reclaiming a sense of autonomy and redefining identity.
The Future Belongs to Emotionally Intelligent Leaders
If you think this is only about elections, think again!
This shift is a clarion call that leaders must focus on connecting, influencing, and leading in the real world—whether managing a team, selling a product, or building a movement.
Gen Z's choices tell us one thing loud and clear: the future doesn't belong to leaders who rely on status, systems, or outdated scripts. It belongs to those willing to step into the emotional battlefield, meet people where they are, and lead with authenticity and courage.
The next move is yours. Will you make it?
Let's keep the conversation going in the comments!
Your turn:
Share your tips and insights in the comments below. Your story could be the nudge someone needs to embark on their journey of change!
Feel free to send this to your friends.?I eagerly anticipate your feedback and comments.
Ready to?unlock your EmotionalSource Code and drive innovation within your organization?
Contact Dov Baron today?and take the first step towards a more inclusive and innovative corporate culture. I look forward to your feedback and insights:
With gratitude, respect, and curiosity, Dov…
About Dov Baron
Dov Baron?Guides Organizations, Leaders, and Teams to Create Fiercely Loyal Cultures of Belonging and Facilitate Authentic Communication to Generate Spectacular Innovation.
He is the leading authority on Emotional Source Code? and the?Anatomy of Meaning?.?He has been named?5x of the world's Top 30 Global Leadership Gurus and twice by Inc. Magazine's Top 100 Leadership Speakers.
He?guides leaders, Icons, businesses, and teams?to harness their Emotional Source Code to create tribes of belonging that generate innovation, authentic communication, and fierce loyalty.
Dov Baron, Actualizer: Meaning Authority, Advisor to Leaders and Icons
* Top30 Global Leadership Guru
* IncMag Top100 LeadershipSpeaker
* ???#1 Fortune500 Podcast
* Independent Contributor: Medium, ??Entrepreneur Mag
Find Dov here on LinkedIn and DovBaron.com
or?DM me here on LinkedIn
Executive Assistant at Water’s Edge Counseling
2 天前Great read and insightful! Thank you for the post. Nailed it! ????
Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion, Gen Z's shift towards authenticity and emotional depth is a game-changer in leadership. For the next generation—ZAlpha (born 2006-2012)—this will only intensify. They expect rawness, connection, and truth from brands and leaders alike. Understanding this shift is crucial as they shape future leadership trends. For more on decoding Gen ZAlpha's impact, consider following our GEN ZALPHA page.
Founder And CEO @Proxima | Marketing | Lead Generation | Branding | Entrepreneur | Influencer
2 天前Gen Z is certainly shaking up the leadership game with their authenticity and emotional intelligence. Excited to see how this new shift shapes leadership in the future! Let’s connect and discuss more!
Next gen leadership mentor, #1 Best Selling Author, Campaign Strategist, the Changemaker Podcast, Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach, Former Mayor of Augusta, Movement Partner Starts With Us , Forward Party Advisory Board
3 天前I really enjoyed your insight on this Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion ! I have often made the point that I’ve served on boards of directors for many years now where the question comes up “how do we engage the younger generation?” My standard reply has been that there has been nobody sitting in the room under the age of forty which I’ve compared to a room full of wealthy older white men trying to decide how to proactively address racial issues. I have long made the point that in order to engage our younger generations, they need to have an equal seat at any table where decisions are being made and that their voices need to be heard and valued. I thoroughly enjoy not just seeking younger people’s points of view on any given topic but also remaining curious as to how they came to their views as opposed to dismissing them as bad or wrong just because they might not mirror my own point of view. And the result for me is that I often reexamine and rethink my own point of view on any given issue. Our society is ever evolving and every generation has lessons to teach us which is why I absolutely love mentoring young leaders and always focus on cross generational engagement. Keep the wisdom coming my brother!
??Business Strategist ?? Helping Business Owners to reach their potential and scaling up their businesses ?? Keynote Speaker ?? Executive, Team and Business Coach
3 天前Food for thought Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion