The Alpha's are coming – are you ready?
Louise Wheeler FIoL
Leadership Expert, Insights Discovery Practitioner, Executive Coach & Mentor, L&D and OD Consultant, HR Ninja Approved Coaching #Expert.
We currently have 5 generations working across organisations right now. You might be an organisation that has this range. Here are the ‘groupings’ to help you understand them all. My research showed slightly different group names and slightly different year brackets – this is the age format I’ve gone with (as of August 2024):
1.??? Traditionalists in their late 78+ years
2.??? Baby Boomers ranging from 60-78 years
3.??? Gen X ranging from 48-59 years
4.??? Millennials ranging from 29-47 years
5.??? Gen Z ranging from 15-28 years
Maybe you are a manager in a different generation group than the rest of your team. Or you might be a people manager trying to manage all these different generations. And yes, they all need and want something different - from communication styles to flexible working, formal meetings to WhatsApp messages late at night!
Well, you might want to hold on tight because yes, within the next 5 years a whole new Generation will be launching themselves into workplaces. Known as Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha). Gen Alpha are just starting to become teenagers, and we can already see their impact on culture.?
Maybe you are an Alpha parent? I am, in fact I have two at home and I spend a lot of time looking at them in a confused way (yes, I know the expression on my face). This is often due to not having a clue what they are saying! In my world, their language and conversations with friends is off the scale!
Anyway, aside from home life, this is the generation that will change working environments forever. Growing up in an era of rapid technological advancement and social change, Gen Alpha is expected to have a profound impact on the future of work.
What do we know about Gen Alpha?
Born between 2010 and 2025 (yes, some haven’t arrived yet), majority are the children of millennials and the successors of Gen Z.
For those of you that remember, 2010 was the year the first iPad was released. If you’ve ever come across the phrase ‘iPad babies’ this describes Gen Alpha children that were given tablets as a pacifier. You may also have heard the term ‘digital natives’ as they’ve grown up in a world where technology and the internet have always been part of their lives and are heavy social media users.
This is the first generation to experience home learning, remote classrooms, tablet computers and streaming services. Changes in the use of tech in classrooms have had a significant effect on how this generation has experienced early learning compared to previous generations. Some experts speculate that growing up during the age of social distancing could affect their social development, and using smart devices from a young age could make them impatient.
Gen Alpha has experienced the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as young children. Some researchers have referred to Gen Alpha as ‘Gen C’ or ‘Generation COVID’ because they will be the first generation to grow up largely or entirely in a world touched by the pandemic. They have spent more time at home with their parents than they otherwise would have as a result of the pandemic behaviours, attitudes, and habits will likely be affected more than those of any other generation due to COVID-19.
Their entertainment is dominated by electronic tech, social networks and streaming devices. They have little or no interest in traditional television. They will be affected by emerging AI and automation like the use of voice assistance like Siri, Alexa and will actively use tools like Chat GPT.
The Impact Alphas will have in the Workplace
There is limited data on Gen Alpha’s impact in the workplace due to their age, however, there are already some interesting projections and studies being released.?
We already know that different generations want different things from their managers and working environment. Each progression of the generations has led to shorter, more frequent and more direct contact between people. We predict that Gen Alpha will prefer communicating via social media apps like WhatsApp, snapchat and Instagram, a little via email and occasionally by phone, text or a meeting.
Gen Alpha have had access to advanced digital platforms from birth. This is the key difference and workplace expectation that this generation will have. They are expected to possess high levels of digital fluency, adaptability, technology drive, innovation and collaboration.
There is a predication that Gen Alpha will be more resilient and more educated than the generations before them. Gen Alpha are likely to prioritise autonomy and work-life integration from an early age. Whilst similar to Gen Z and some workplace examples now, this flexibility and work-life integration will be of greater need. These expectations will shape their approach to leadership, teamwork and organisational culture in new and unique ways.
Here are the top 7 (of 11) predictions given from Dan Schawbel (LinkedIn Top Voice and New York Bestselling Author) on how Gen Alpha will disrupt, change, and advance the workforce in the future.
1.?? Gen Alpha will possess digital fluency and drive technological innovation
They are expected to be highly proficient in using technology to solve problems, communicate, and collaborate. They will drive technological innovation and disrupt traditional industries.
2.?? They will have an entrepreneurial mindset?
They are predicted to be risk takers and have an entrepreneurial mindset. They are likely to embrace uncertainty and see challenges as opportunities. Gen Alpha will have the tools and platforms to launch their own businesses and a means to pursing their entrepreneurial aspirations.?
3.?? They will prioritise flexible work arrangements and remote work
Moving away from traditional 9-to-5 office jobs they will prioritise flexibility and the ability to work remotely. Gen Alpha is likely to value the freedom to work from anywhere and at any time, leveraging technology to stay connected and productive.
4.?? They will thrive in collaborative, multicultural work environments
Growing up in a world where diversity and collaboration are celebrated and valued, Gen Alpha is likely to thrive in collaborative work environments that foster creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural communication. They will bring a fresh perspective to workplace dynamics and challenge traditional hierarchies promoting a more inclusive and collaborative approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
5.?? They will forge flexible education pathways
Gen Alpha will reshape traditional educational pathways and embrace flexible learning options. They will pursue online courses and experiential learning opportunities to supplement their formal education and stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market.
6.?? They will spur a revolution in remote learning
Generation Alpha will drive the remote learning revolution, demanding innovative approaches to education that cater to their digital-native preferences and learning styles. They will embrace online education platforms and virtual reality simulations in order to gain knowledge and skills.
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7.?? They will emphasise soft skills
High on the Gen Alpha learning and developing list will be soft skills such as communication, collaboration, adaptability and emotional intelligence. They will prioritise these interpersonal skills and emotional competencies to succeed in diverse and dynamic work environments.
How organisations can prepare for their arrival
Organisations need to start preparing now in readiness for Gen Alphas. Employers should now be looking at advanced technologies, creating flexible work cultures and embracing the need for development of soft skills.
A holistic approach is required. This includes the development of current and future managers that will be line managing Gen Alphas. ?Culturally and structurally you may think you’re ready, however how well prepared are your managers and leaders? Are they ready to manage Gen Alpha and this brand new way of being and thinking?
Here are 4 practical steps you can take and some questions to consider:
?1.?? Adopting advanced technologies
For organisations to attract and retain Gen Alpha here will be a need for ?advanced technologies like AI and automation.
Q: If you’ve not considered AI or automation already, where in your business can this be considered?
Q: If you’ve begun this journey, what more can be implemented?
2.?? Creating a flexible work culture
Gen Alpha will want remote and hybrid work options.
Q: What policies do you already have in place to support work-life integration?
Q: If you don’t have these policies in place (or can’t for some roles), how will you attract and maintaining employee satisfaction and productivity.
3.?? Fostering an inclusive environment
The promotion of diversity and inclusion will be critical for Gen Alpha. Creating an inclusive culture that resonates will be key.
Q: How diverse and inclusive is your organisation now?
Q: From a Succession place, what will the structure look like (from top to bottom), over the next 5 years?
4.?? Investing in continuous learning
Gen Alpha will expect training, learning and development to be at their fingertips. With a huge hunger for continuous learning you will need to be innovative to feed and grow this generation.
Q: What offerings do you have now and what are you missing?
Q: How can these be adapted to suit Gen Alpha?
Business leaders and owners need to take proactive steps now. Hopefully these questions have given you some food for thought. Gen Alpha will bring rapid development to all parts of the workplace, so let’s be prepared and ready to welcome, embrace and learn from this new generation.
It’s just another Generation, so what? (you may be thinking)
Well, I’m hoping that this article has made you think about the difference that Gen Alpha will bring and like it or not, it will happen.
Gen Alpha is poised to disrupt and change the workforce. From their digital fluency and entrepreneurial mindset to their values, expectations on workplace dynamics. They will drive innovation, reshape industries, and redefine the future of work.?
Employers and organisations need to adapt now to accommodate the needs and preferences of Gen Alpha. We can expect to see a transformation in workplace culture, practices, and norms, ultimately leading to a more flexible, inclusive, and sustainable workforce for future Gens.
So, is your organisation and staff ready for this shift? You still have time to plan, train, implement and adapt. We know the war on talent is real – if we don’t prepare now for this new way of working then the talent war will become your reality!
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References acknowledged:
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2 个月This is a great thought provoking article. I'm not sure how many organisations prepare or give their managers support to manage across the generations. Agility, forward thinking and challenging mindsets are definitely needed on this one.
Head of HR (Chartered MCIPD) at MuchBetter.com
3 个月Thanks for sharing Lou! This is so interesting. What I can see with younger generations is they won’t take any crap, they understand what’s important. It’s going to be a rollercoaster for many managers not ready for it!
Executive Head of HR
3 个月Thank you, was a good read… as I sat down eating dinner with my Alphas and all their various tech!