From A Gen-Z for The Gen-Z?????

I have been advised to post consistently here since this platform is basically as aspirational as Instagram if you want to have a relevant career. So I thought to share some learnings from my contemporary experiences as a young adult working professional.?

For starters, I am a Gen-Z, meaning it is a nightmare for me to navigate the corporate space, and I am a nightmare for others too, apparently. But I promise, I don’t bite (ask my managers!).

But jokes aside, apart from the incessant stereotyping, I’ve learned that being from this generation brings an unfathomable range of pros and cons. Our socialisation happens on such a digitalised level, making us a walking conundrum—hyper-independent, codependent, self-aware yet ignorant at the same time (that awkward moment when you realise living vicariously through the internet is a sham!).

Trust me, it's not easy being the office hot topic, and I know it’s not easy for you to deal with one either. But my coworkers often tell me that I’ve mastered the art of conduct beyond my years, and whether that’s true or not, I thought to share some un-chatgpt’d tips for Gen-Z that no one (older) really tells you convincingly otherwise:

1) Be more reflective, less reactive??:?

The smartest thing you can do at times is bite your tongue. There’s a lot to say, and it often seems like the person standing in front of you has no idea what they’re talking about. But give them a chance; you could end up learning a thing or two. While you might feel objectively competent and freshly educated, you’ll unavoidably lack practical experience in comparison, and it’s best to realise that starting an argument over a snide remark is never worth it for your own psyche at the early stages of your career. Don’t get flustered; protect your peace; avoid revealing your hand; and focus on upskilling.

2) Client may be king??, but don’t be a peasant??.?

If you’re in a creative space, it can be especially painful to incorporate tacky feedback, but at the end of the day, you can walk a horse to the water but you can’t force it to drink. Although learning how to be assertive with clients is also a battle. It’s almost obvious that you’re new and some unrealistic deadlines will be thrown your way, where your naivety gets taken advantage of. But don’t be afraid to ask for help; keep in touch with seasoned coworkers and develop a clear understanding of timelines, costs, and scope of work. Act like you know what you’re doing, and soon enough you will! (Or, shall I say, ‘fake it till you make it’ like everyone else?)

3) This is not your friend group; be neutral??:?

Workplace friendships are important and even necessary! But know where to draw a line. Having bad blood with someone is not an indication of how good a friend you are to someone else. I’ve ended up judging people (Alas, my susceptibility to the ick) only to realise they’re actually really cool, and I like to think that I’m here to learn things from people, not navigate them via my moral compass (which is an important instrument nonetheless, but can be kept to myself).

4) Create Value for Yourself??:

Every busy mentor/manager craves a breather, so you might often go unnoticed (intentionally or unintentionally). Which is no problem, the best thing to do in this case is to be proactive and keep following up on that deck you shared in the morning, enquire about the brief you were supposed to be roped into, get clear confirmations when doing something for the first time, or even try your hand at learning something additional. The start of your career is like a sandbox so play around. Being unapproached doesn’t warrant inaction. No one really clears their schedule to ensure you have a meaningful day; it’s on you to make sure your hours add value to your work exp (your time IS your entitlement; use it well).?

5) It's never personal ??(enough):?

Blunt criticism can be upsetting because we often evaluate our self-worth through the work we do. But your personal value extends beyond a professional capacity; it’s about your deeds and the people you turn to in times of need (I really wanted this to rhyme)! Most of the time, people aren’t out to get you; they are just looking out for themselves (as is human nature). And even if they are out to get you, it doesn’t matter. Just stay on top of your work and keep receipts. Drop all misgivings the moment your workday ends—out of sight, out of mind, quite literally!?

6) No one ‘needs’ to like you??:?

You can be a pro at corporate communication, the biggest @ss-kisser in the room, or the personality hire, but you still can’t control other people’s reactions to you. There is a high chance you will upset someone through direct or even indirect means. Besides doing your best to clear up misunderstandings, it’s important to accept that not everyone will like you. And that’s okay. Be comfortable with discomfort, do right by others, and keep your conscience clear.

7) People pleasing isn’t a crime????:

‘I don’t owe this, ‘Not my problem’, ‘None of my business’ are 10/10 very valid takes, but not necessarily ideal in a professional environment. I’ve realised being more considerate of the people around you is very rewarding at times and helps you develop as an empath and team player. So stay a couple of extra minutes if you can, go the extra mile, put your headphones down during lunch break, and be respectful by default. That being said, it is equally important to maintain polite boundaries and prioritise your own needs while catering to others. You never HAVE to, but it’s still nice to sometimes :)

8) If you can’t be likeable, be tolerable????:

It's hard to be liked when you have incompatible humour, polar-opposite worldviews, and unrelatable aspirations. You could always pretend but that’s a different battle.?I’ve found it sad when the more ‘experienced’ professionals say things like “keeping your head down” is important. I disagree but I do feel it’s important to be tolerant as well as tolerable. At the end of the day, your scope in an organisation is directly linked to how well you adapt.

Lastly, Don’t think too much! A final addition at the behest of my colleague (who I constantly pestered for proofreading, as I couldn’t help but think about what others might think of this post! :)

“Gen-Zs aren’t cut out for corporate culture.”. Or so I hear. The struggle is real, and it takes time (and maybe years) to get used to. I may be a random 20 something spewing gyaan on LinkedIn. But the fact of the matter is, Gen-Z IS the new and upcoming corporate culture! Paving a more communicative, ethical, and hopefully beginner-friendly environment for other generations to come. For now, our focus can be on learning how to coexist and adapt with generational differences, to be helpful when it matters, and to reserve opinions for places where they're appreciated.

-From Gen Z to XY, Alpha Beta Gamma, generations out there!??

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