11/17/2025

Right Now, Entry-level Workers Are More Hopeful than Their Bosses

They are building confidence through adaptability, community and self-direction

For years, we have treated confidence in the workplace as something that rises with seniority. The longer you're in the game, the more secure you should feel, at least in theory. But new data is telling a different story. Confidence is quietly increasing among early and mid-career employees, while many senior leaders are facing a growing sense of doubt. The emotional center of the workforce is shifting, and it says a lot about how work, identity and leadership are changing.

The View from the Ground

Glassdoor's latest numbers show something many leaders might not expect: Confidence is rising among those at the beginning and middle of their careers. Entry-level confidence ticked up 1.9 points and mid-level roles rose 2.3. After several years defined by layoffs, volatility and reorganization, you would think this group would be the most anxious. However, they're slowly stabilizing—and in many cases, feeling more empowered.

One possible explanation is that younger employees, particularly Gen Z, have grown up in uncertainty. They graduated into disrupted schools, unpredictable labor markets and news cycles dominated by instability. Adaptation became the norm. So, rather than viewing change as a threat, many see it as the default environment, something to work within rather than fight against.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.