Decoding SINEL: Gen Z’s secret language every leader must master

Written by Benoit Vancauwenberghe, a leading expert on Generation Z in Europe

Picture walking into a room where the words sound familiar, but the language feels foreign. Every pause seems loaded with intention. Every glance, delayed response, or moment of silence feels like it’s speaking volumes, but you can’t quite grasp the message.

This is how the modern workplace looks through the lens of Gen Z.They don’t just listen; they scan. They aren’t merely processing instructions; they’re interpreting culture. And if leaders don’t learn to recognize the signals Gen Z is decoding, they risk mistaking silence for satisfaction; until it’s too late.

Understanding SINEL

SINEL stands for Socially Interpreted Non-Explicit Language, and it’s more than just a buzzword. It’s the unspoken language Gen Z uses to navigate their social world—determining who to trust, where they fit in, and what’s not right for them.

SINEL isn’t found in a handbook; it’s perceived intuitively. It’s less about the official policies you write and more about the culture that’s subtly communicated through everyday interactions, like meetings, emails, and other small behaviors.

These are not just optics. They’re signals.
And Gen Z doesn’t wait to hear them—they walk in already scanning.

Where It Comes From: A Generation Shaped by Contradictions

Older generations grew up with clear, consistent social codes:

• Boomers placed their trust in systems and expected stability.
• Gen X trusted no one, prizing independence above all.
• Millennials trusted self-expression as a key to unlocking opportunities.

But Gen Z? They were raised in a world of contradictions.

• “You can be anything”—spoken by parents teetering on the edge of burnout.
•  “Use your voice”—preached by schools that punished dissent.
•  “Stay connected”—during a pandemic that fostered isolation.

These contradictions didn’t breed cynicism. Instead, they honed vigilance. Gen Z grew up learning to scan for coherence:

• Do the words align with the actions?
• Does this place practice what it preaches?

When the answer is no, they don’t protest—they disengage. As Benoît Vancauweberghe notes in The Gen Z Shift, this generation doesn’t revolt with picket signs. Their rebellion is quieter but just as powerful: they respond with silence.

The great emotional escape: when trust checks out before they do

Many HR leaders and managers share a common frustration: “They just leave. No warning, no conflict—just gone.” But this isn’t disloyalty; it’s a phenomenon we call SINEL in action. It doesn’t always show up as a resignation letter. Sometimes it’s a camera that’s perpetually off, the Friday drinks they never attend, or the creative spark that quietly fades away.

According to Gallup’s 2024 Workplace Trends report, 83% of Gen Z workers report feeling emotionally disconnected at work. Meanwhile, Deloitte reports that 65% would prefer to quit quietly rather than confront poor leadership. This isn’t a sign of fragility; it’s pattern recognition. When actions fail to align with words, trust erodes, and performance inevitably follows.

5 Things Gen Z notices immediately in their first week

They won’t tell you. But they’re scanning. And their “SINEL dashboard” updates in real time:

1. Safety → Can I speak without being punished? – Silence after tough questions signals danger.

2. Sincerity → Do actions match words? – A mental health campaign means nothing if burnout is normalized.

3. Power → Who really decides things here? – If juniors only take notes, they know where they stand.

4. Tone → What does silence mean here? –  Is feedback safe? Is disagreement welcome?

5. Digital Culture → Do Slack and in-person norms align?  – Playful DMs won’t save a cold boardroom.

Gen Z may not have a name for SINEL, but they understand it intuitively. When this initial scan proves disappointing, they begin to disengage—first emotionally, then physically.

Why leaders miss the signals

Older generations were accustomed to responding to explicit feedback: a strike, a heated conversation, or an angry email. But Gen Z communicates differently. Their signals are often subtle, digital, and indirect. They grew up navigating toxic online spaces by disengaging rather than engaging in debate. When something feels off, they don’t confront; it’s more likely they’ll switch off, stay silent, or quietly withdraw.  And many leaders miss these signs until it’s too late.

• “We thought everything was fine…”
•  “They never mentioned an issue…”
•  “No concerns came up in the exit interview…”

That’s because the feedback wasn’t voiced in the meeting. It was in the unspoken cues: the disengaged energy, the heavy silence, the blank camera.

The leader’s library: why every great leader is a great reader

Asking, “How do we lead Gen Z?” skips a crucial first step.  You can’t lead someone without first understanding their language. Just as you wouldn’t coach in Japan without learning Japanese, you can’t lead Gen Z without learning to interpret SINEL.

• Leadership doesn’t begin with strategy—it starts with literacy.
• Learn to listen for contradictions, not just complaints.
•  Recognize disengagement as a signal, not a lack of interest.
•  Invite your youngest team members to help decode your workplace culture.

Conduct “signal audits” to identify where your stated values conflict with daily behaviors. Leadership starts with understanding—so start there.