Entitled: What Gen Z learned from Millennials - and why the rest of us should care
Lewis English
Change and Growth Consultant. Creator of success stories for campaigns, businesses, organisations, charities and non-profits through campaign management, communication and process mapping. Bloom Accredited Supplier
I’ve been told multiple times by managers and owners that Gen Z doesn’t want to work hard, or lead. They're entitled, they say.
I know why.
Risk is a privilege. And everything is riskier when it costs more.
Housing, education, your mental health.
And unlike Millennials, Gen Z has seen what you get when you work real hard and do what you are told. They’ve seen those same millennials, who also can’t afford the 10X salary mortgage and work 16-hour days, and have low mental health. To most of Gen Z, it’s not worth it, and they are right.
Gen Z saw millennials get the ladder pulled up in relation to housing, job opportunities, and poor work environments and said, no thanks, I’m not willing to accept it. Does that sound entitled? Yes. But it’s also being aware of the situation you find yourself in. It means you know what you’re worth and aren’t will to degrade yourself to a level that suits everyone else. You’re willing to say no.
They do this because not only is it the right thing to do, but that’s what they were told to do by their parents and their education system. Their parents and their education system taught them to question, challenge, and understand. And they do. Now we judge them.
So the key is to start your own business, right? Well, when you haven’t been educated in running a business, how can you? This isn’t a Gen Z problem, it’s a UK problem. So let’s educate, understand, and help reduce that risk, because Gen Z is smart, capable, and willing to learn. Society just hasn’t given them an environment that gets the best out of them yet, and whose fault is that?
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Entrepreneurial Aspirations and Technological Savviness: Gen Z's strong inclination towards entrepreneurship is influenced by a mix of factors, including disillusionment with traditional career paths, lower barriers to entry in the business world, and a profound sense of creativity and self-sufficiency fostered by their upbringing in a digital world. This generation values careers that foster original thought and ideas, and they see entrepreneurship as a viable path to achieving this. The issue, as with all generations, is lack of education and lack of funds.
Economic Pessimism and Mental Health Concerns: Many in Gen Z doubt they'll achieve key economic milestones such as homeownership or retirement, reflecting a mix of pessimism and realism about their economic prospects and job stability. Concerns over mental health compound this sentiment, with a significant number of Gen Z workers reporting mental health struggles as a major impact on their ability to work effectively.
Workplace Expectations and Values: Gen Z's expectations from the workplace include flexibility, remote work opportunities, and a departure from the traditional 9-to-5 workday. They've grown up in an era where technology facilitates independent learning and working, shaping their attitudes towards work and collaboration. This generation is also keenly aware of global issues like climate change and expects businesses to act responsibly towards society and the environment.
Job Market Realities and Attitudes: The job attitudes of Gen Z show a marked shift from previous generations, with a significant portion actively or passively seeking new employment opportunities. This reflects their flexibility and openness to change, driven partly by economic disparities between generations. Gen Z workers, particularly women, are more likely to leave jobs in search of better compensation, underscoring their desire for fair pay and early retirement.