Jun, a worker with a decade of experience, has declined a promotion on several occasions. The first time she chose to stay in her current role rather than take on a new position. The second time she returned to her former job after two weeks because the increased responsibility was too much. The third time she turned down the offer when she realized the promotion would not bring a real salary increase. She says that managerial roles often come with more pressure from above and below, without financial support.

Zhēng, a product manager, had a similar experience. After being promoted to “senior,” she was left to handle several tasks one‑on‑one, and her boss called it an “opportunity to develop independence.” Zhēng formulated a conclusion that went viral: if there is not a single person in the company you want to emulate, then the environment has stopped being developmental.

For many young workers, declining a promotion is not a rejection of ambition. It is an attempt to avoid the pressure that falls on middle management, squeezed between leadership and line staff. One user gave an example. A temporary team‑lead role earned him only 100 yuan ($15) extra per month, along with responsibility for any mistakes.

The trend extends beyond China. British firm Robert Walters calls it “conscious unbossing,” a deliberate rejection of managerial roles. In a 2024 survey, more than half of Generation Z respondents said they do not aspire to become managers, and 72 % put personal development above leading others.

Experts warn that the declining appeal of management poses a challenge for employers. Companies will have to rethink these roles. For example, give more autonomy, clear development trajectories, and remove excessive pressure.

On Chinese social media, the discussion boils down to a single dilemma: being too accommodating to leadership means drowning in work; being too uncomfortable means ending up on the sidelines of life. Young employees are looking for balance. One popular comment sums up the sentiment: growth is not always a move upward. It can be replaced by choosing a stable, manageable workload that leaves time for family and personal interests.