“Gen Zs Are Not Lazy — We’re the Ones Who Haven’t Learned to Speak Their Language” — George Quaye

Media personality and theatre producer George Quaye has challenged one of the most persistent criticisms of young people in today’s workforce, the idea that Gen Z is lazy.

Speaking on the Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast hosted by Derick Elorm Ashilevi, George Quaye turned the conversation on its head, placing the responsibility not on Gen Z, but on older generations struggling to adapt.

According to him, the issue is not laziness but a communication gap.

“Gen Zs are not lazy. We are the dumb ones. We haven’t found a way to communicate with them,” he stated, pushing back against a narrative that has gained traction across workplaces and social media.

George Quaye explained that younger people approach work differently, often prioritizing efficiency and innovation over traditional methods. In his view, what some interpret as a lack of effort is actually a shift in mindset, one that values smarter, faster ways of getting things done.

However, he acknowledged that Gen Z is not without flaws. He pointed to what he described as a sense of entitlement among some young people, but emphasized that this does not define the entire generation.

Rather than dismissing Gen Z, George Quaye urged leaders, employers and older professionals to evolve and meet them halfway. He suggested that bridging the generational divide requires intentional effort to understand how young people think, communicate and engage with work.

His comments add to a growing conversation about generational dynamics in the modern workplace, where Gen Z continues to redefine norms around productivity, communication and work-life balance.

Ultimately, George Quaye’s stance reframes the debate: instead of asking why Gen Z won’t adapt, perhaps the better question is whether the system itself is willing to change.