How the Proactive Behavior of Generation Z Soldiers Stimulates the Emergence of Leadership

Abstract

With the surge of the times and the increasing complexity of the world’s military environment, Generation Z officers and soldiers are gradually becoming the core of the army’s armed forces, and their unique perspectives, innovative thinking, and pursuit of individual and collective achievements are crucial to the future development of the army. Based on self-determination theory and implicit leadership theory, this study explores how Generation Z officers and soldiers can stimulate leadership emergence through proactive behaviors in a highly standardized organization like the military. The military needs officers and soldiers to perform more proactive behaviors aligned with organizational goals to promote better achievement of collective goals. According to the generational characteristics of Generation Z officers and soldiers, they have more forward-looking ideas and a stronger desire for proactive behaviors, and proactive behaviors can enhance their influence in the group, thus stimulating the emergence of their leadership.