Blackstone President Jon Gray is advising Gen Z professionals to approach their corporate careers with the mindset of an entrepreneur [1].
This perspective arrives as the traditional corporate ladder faces disruption from a growing number of young workers who choose to launch their own ventures rather than climb established hierarchies [2]. Gray said that those who do remain in corporate environments can find more success by shifting their internal perspective on employment.
Gray said that the mentality of a founder is beneficial regardless of whether a person owns the company. He said, "If Gen Z wants to climb the corporate ladder, they should view every job like they're working at a startup" [2].
By treating a role as a startup, employees can move beyond the passive nature of a standard job description. This approach emphasizes the creation of value, and the proactive identification of problems to solve within an organization [1].
According to reports on the strategy, treating oneself as a company instead of just an employee helps build ownership, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset [1]. This shift in thinking is intended to foster a sense of accountability for outcomes, rather than just the completion of assigned tasks.
Gray's advice suggests that the skills required to scale a small business—such as agility and risk management—are the same skills that facilitate rapid advancement in a large firm like Blackstone [1, 2]. This philosophy encourages Gen Z to view their professional development as a product they are continuously improving and marketing to the organization.
“"If Gen Z wants to climb the corporate ladder, they should view every job like they're working at a startup,"”
Gray's guidance reflects a broader shift in corporate talent management, where companies now value 'intrapreneurship.' By encouraging employees to act like owners, firms can increase productivity and retention among Gen Z, who often seek more autonomy and purpose than traditional corporate structures typically provide.
