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In praise of Gen-Z

Sitting in a meeting with a finance team the other day, someone mentioned that one of their younger team members had just resigned. A hum of sympathy went around the

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18 November 2024

Leading across the divide

In praise of Gen-Z

Sitting in a meeting with a finance team the other day, someone mentioned that one of their younger team members had just resigned. A hum of sympathy went around the room, and then someone asked why. It turned out that the person in question had recently graduated from university and this was their first job. They liked the company and got on well with the team, but the thought of working to the rhythms of the financial reporting cycle with its intense peaks and troughs for the rest of their career just wasn’t aligning with their life plan. So they quit. Everyone at that table nodded in agreement with a knowing smirk.

Fast-forward to today, when I read an article berating the way “young people” have their faces glued to their phones, are not willing to put effort into what they do and are constantly expecting to be coddled, unlike previous generations. “How are these snowflakes going to survive in the real world?” the author wondered. And I found myself nodding in agreement with a knowing smirk.

Leaders, Gen-Z has entered the chat

Those born between the mid-1990s and late 00s will be the largest cohort of people entering the workplace since the Baby Boomers, and many of us older folks running companies or managing teams, are just not ready for it.

Yes, these “Zoomers” are outspoken, they have high expectations of their workplace experience, and prioritize their mental wellbeing. But they are also creative, savvy, full of new ideas, and eager to learn and contribute if only they were given the space and support to spread their wings.

Rather than patronising them on their differences, we have to find a way to engage with them in a supportive and respectful way.

Are you up for this?

This article goes into more detail about the challenges and potential solutions, but if you are a Zoomer or someone managing a young team,

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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