Being Present in the Workforce and the Importance of Reciprocity Instruction in K-12 Education

What does being present in the workplace truly mean in 2023? How can educators prepare Gen Z for the workforce with a better understanding of what being present means?

Beyond the discussions of in-person versus virtual is the factor of reciprocity. In social psychology, reciprocity is the provision of a positive action in response to the receipt of a positive action.?

Gen Z in the Workforce

In a recent post on hiccups with Gen Z entering the brick-and-mortar office world for the first time, we reviewed the generational clash that is leading to 12 percent of Gen Z employees being fired in their first week of work.

Researchers are finding greater generational clashes between Gen X/Millennials and Gen Z than past generational clashes. Many managers report difficulty working with Gen Z, citing issues such as a perceived lack of effort, a lack of motivation, and a lack of drive.

Anecdotal evidence notes that these managers feel that Gen Z does not appreciate hierarchy–and especially mentorship within a hierarchy–being quick to challenge what senior managers suggest. Millennial managers post stories in online forums about Gen Z challenging their processes right out of the gate without first learning the ropes and this behavior creating problems. Suggestions from other Millennials typically involve a 90-day journal where the new hires are encouraged to learn the ropes first, note their thoughts about alternatives in the journals, and then reconvene after the 90-day period for a discussion.

At the root of this problem, especially of managers reporting a perceived lack of effort, I believe this is an issue of managers feeling a lack of reciprocity in certain situations. A manager putting time and energy into preparing for a mentorship meeting with a new Gen Z hire only to have the manager-employee hierarchy questioned can make the manager feel like their preparation work was for naught. Instead, seeing a new Gen Z hire matching this energy by investing time and effort into learning from mentors can be rewarding to managers. There is always room for questions and suggestions from another pair of eyes, and this is why techniques such as the 90-day journal are helpful. But crucial is that first step of reciprocity in the acknowledgment and appreciation of managers’ and senior employees’ expertise even as a formality.?

The Influence of Social Media on Reciprocity

Social media has influenced the behavior of all generations. TikTok especially has risen to the fore as a social media app that is influencing and changing culture.

Known in the social media marketing world for having a fairly low conversion rate (number of users who take action in response to a call-to-action), TikTok as a platform is highly unique.

As explained by Forbes: “TikTok is much less work for users. It observes myriad aspects of behaviors and preferences automatically, with less need for users to follow anyone. [The app uses] passive personalization: learning through user consumption.? As a result, user training of the algorithm to assemble their personalized interest graph feels effortless and enjoyable.”

Further research studies in recent years on the psychology behind TikTok use outlined a trend of those who solely passively consume content as doing so for the purpose of escapism and self-gratification whereas a desire for self-expression led to greater levels of producing content and participating actively to expand one’s social network on the app.??

One article by Psychology Today looks at the harm in over-relying on instant gratification as this instant gratification eventually “distracts from longer-term, more meaningful goals” as well as detracts from the quality of social interactions.?

The ease of access to and expectation of instant gratification encouraged by the use of social media platforms by TikTok can create problems for young users.

The Importance of Reciprocity

As one research study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America so poignantly put the situation: “reciprocal exchange is ubiquitous to the behavior of many species. To make an exchange, it is necessary to overcome the desire for immediate gratification in favor of greater but postponed gains from mutual cooperation."

Reciprocity plays a key role in developing healthy and satisfying relationships from romantic to platonic–including professional relationships.

Here are four major ways in which reciprocity is highly valuable for the emotional well-being of all parties involved:

1. Reciprocity allows individuals to provide and receive support, creating a sense of balance and equality within relationships. When both parties contribute and meet each other's needs, it promotes overall well-being and strengthens the bond.
2. Reciprocity builds trust and a sense of security in relationships. When individuals consistently reciprocate care, kindness, and support, it creates a foundation of trust, which strengthens the emotional connection between people.
3. Reciprocity enhances emotional satisfaction in relationships. When both parties feel valued and appreciated, it contributes to a sense of fulfillment and happiness within the relationship.
4. Reciprocity is associated with relationship longevity. When both individuals engage in reciprocal behaviors, it helps to sustain the relationship over time, as it demonstrates commitment and investment in the connection.

Is Reciprocity Innate or Learned?

Now that we have recognized the importance of reciprocity in relationships and how social media may be limiting the development of reciprocity, we can ask whether reciprocity is innate or learned.

Reciprocity is believed to have both innate and learned components. From an evolutionary perspective, reciprocity can be seen as an adaptive behavior that promotes cooperation and social cohesion within communities. However, the specific patterns and expectations of reciprocity are largely learned through socialization and cultural norms.?

Children learn about reciprocity through interactions with caregivers and peers, observing and imitating behaviors that are reciprocated positively. Through these experiences, individuals develop a sense of fairness, empathy, and the understanding that reciprocal exchanges are beneficial for building and maintaining relationships.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in a K-12 Environment and the Teaching of Reciprocity

Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs provide a valuable framework for incorporating instruction on reciprocity in K-12 environments. There are several aspects of SEL that support the development of reciprocity.

SEL programs often focus on developing emotional intelligence, which involves recognizing and understanding emotions in oneself and others. By cultivating empathy and emotional awareness, students can better appreciate the impact of their actions on others and engage in reciprocal behaviors.

Emphasizing relationship skills promotes the development of healthy relationship skills, such as effective communication, active listening, and cooperation. These skills facilitate reciprocal exchanges and support positive interactions with peers and adults.

Stressing the importance of responsible decision-making in SEL teaches students how to make responsible and ethical decisions and encourages them to consider the consequences of their actions on others. This awareness brings about a sense of reciprocity and encourages students to make choices that consider the well-being of others.

So How Does Reciprocity Instruction Influence Students’ Ability to “Be Present” in Whatever Environment They May Enter?

Reciprocity instruction can promote presence and active engagement in relationships and the workplace.?

When taught active listening skills, students learn to be fully present and attentive when interacting with others. This enables them to understand the needs and perspectives of others. When educators assign collaborative projects where students work together towards a common goal, students learn to contribute, share responsibilities, and rely on each other's strengths, creating an environment that values reciprocal support and engagement. Additionally, teachers can encourage students to reflect on how their actions and behaviors influence others. By considering the reciprocal nature of relationships, students become more mindful of their presence and the effect they have on others' experiences.

Within the workplace, reciprocity is linked to greater levels of professional success. When individuals consistently reciprocate support and respect, it creates an environment where people feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and work together towards shared goals. Individuals who engage in reciprocal interactions are more likely to express their needs, listen to others, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner, leading to healthier and more successful relationships.

In the workplace, reciprocal relationships contribute to job satisfaction and productivity. When employees feel valued and supported by their colleagues and superiors, it enhances their motivation, engagement, and overall well-being, resulting in higher levels of performance and success.

Ultimately, reciprocity promotes long-term relationship sustainability. Whether personal or professional, relationships built on reciprocal exchanges are more likely to endure challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and thrive over time.

Final Thoughts

In all, reciprocity and reciprocal relationships are a large part of being present in today’s workforce–no matter the format of the workplace.??

People of all generations want to feel appreciated for their input in the workplace, and certain behaviors highlighted in Gen Z such as challenging managers right off the bat or immediately proposing new ways to run operations can create clashes.?

Research has shown that Gen Z wants praise up to three times a week from their bosses. However, with managers complaining about a perceived lack of effort from Gen Z employees as well as being off-put by Gen Z’s tendency to challenge senior employees, it is no wonder that Gen Z reports a higher level of workplace burnout at a faster rate than previous generations. With a generational culture influenced by social media platforms like TikTok and the ability to passively receive instant gratification, Gen Z is finding that the real world is much different.?

To receive praise from their bosses in the workplace, Gen Z must put in equal energy into the manager-employee relationship. This energy can come in the form of showing appreciation for a manager’s expertise or guidance. This energy can also come in the form of showing adherence and a commitment to learning from a manager’s mentorship.?

In all, to help Gen Z thrive and be present in the workplace, educators in the K-12 setting can emphasize and model elements of reciprocal relationships to students.?

#GenZ #Zoomers #Reciprocity #SocialEmotionalLearning