Disco Killer

Don`t be afraid. It is just about music. And about young generations, especially the Gen Z, if such a classification indeed is correct. And let`s start with an unusual event. During my skiing, I took a cable car, heading to the top of the mountain. As soon as I entered it, eight people already sitting there, I heard very loud music. I was not sure exactly where from it was coming. Good, high-quality sound. Certainly not coming from the built-in loudspeakers in the car which are used for emergency announcements. Six of us soon turned to the three young ladies, regarding their age they were Gen Z members. Evidently one of them was carrying a high-quality (bluetooth) loudspeaker in her jacket, with a smartphone in her hands, controlling the playlists. And they decided for the “Disco Killer” to be the next to play. Almost killed me. No, just kidding. They had quite a good playlist. One guy even started tapping with his hands on his knees, following the rhythm. But, sure, all that music was way too noisy and their behaviour a bit intrusive. Not everyone felt comfortable. But the three Gen Z ladies certainly got the attention of all of us. They were in a spotlight for the entire ride.

And here I see a problem. Recently I have read an article from Korn Ferry Institute titled “Who Is Gen Z: The restless generation?? The authors write about the generation with high disengagement from job, alarmingly high attrition rates, feeling disconnected … They want flexibility, wellbeing, they seek purpose, better alignment of their values with organization etc. And I read further: “Gen Z is looking for meaningful work that offers them an opportunity to grow and develop.? Sure, we all look for meaning. But we cannot just request it, we have to contribute to it, we have to make our work meaningful. Unfortunately, the authors in the article mostly address what the companies should do, but do not provide any message to the Gen Z themselves. I believe we have to encourage Gen Z and give them a clear message to not only demand to be in a spotlight (as they are used to be), but for them to become that light. For them to make things and make them meaningful. For them to emit the light that will put others in spotlight, that would inspire others. Sure, we, in organizations, have to provide the room for them, for their ideas, and support them. Yet – it is them who have to be active, too! Seeking the meaning and making the meaning to everything we do together.

I have been working with younger generations since - I was young. For decades.

Often, the best people were the ones full of initiatives, not asking us to pave the road for them, but they were paving it with us.

The best careers were made by self-determined people, who were aware that probably they had not found the best positions for them yet. Some of them actively re-positioned themselves, moving from technical to sales areas and vice versa, some making a project manager career instead of an engineering one. Some of them even invented a new job position, even a new department! They were not just playing the “Disco Killer” to get attention.

They made themselves visible and valuable by the work they had done. They made an impact!??