Generation Z and Aviation

Normally, early comers unknowingly influence the surroundings with their own thought and action preferences, shaping an environment on the pillars of a typical notion in a growing age band that becomes a thing for decades until disturbed by a wind of change, like the digital experience that permeated through the Gen Z mindset on its time warp. That wind of change phenomenon initiated a whole new thought ecology that is now shaping the industry and ways of life in habits that reflect different values, choices, and behaviors. Understanding the Gen Z has become vital to almost everything having human component, especially an industry obsessed with safety, on both airside and corporate. So, this first article will restrict to larger Aviation scope with Gen Zs. Ill write couple more soon enough.

So, what is Gen Z, or say, who are the Gen Z.

Generation Z or GZs (Gee Zees) are an “enlightened” generation of young men and women that were born around the mid 1990s thru early 2000s in a digitally intensifying and rapidly linking global arena. Scuttlebutt; a fused group of men and women who to the generation before, many of the top management/executive positions as of today, are fickle, “hard-to-understand” (HTUs) types at work. Yet at ease with commotion and innovation which runs their ingenuity, I believe GZs have a lot going for them. It may be wiser clipping a category of Gen X and Y in with the GZs group, men and women who weren’t essentially born in the digital era but took it upon themselves to keep up with the GZs in ways of the new dawn (change management). Unite that group in a single ‘ident’ and lets call them the ‘Add-ons’.

Gen Zs are registering a significant impact on the psyche of aviation industry as they take up roles into the surround. The Gen Z ‘Operating Handbook’ would lay upon the values of being tolerant of the Genies themselves (there is more than one way of knowing the GZs, they like that) because they will ask questions and be more openly communicative until they understand what they are dealing with. They will go WhatsApp, Instagram, telegram, tale-thread and even snapchat on lead managers, and that is ok. So, all sides meeting up in the middle helps harvest goodies at work.

Corporations that take to taste and values of such mutually rewarding 2-way, set themselves on vectors of ingenuity, innovation and technology adoption. Being a Gen Z add-on (old hand updates) helps in that situation where one must interact with digitally-laden mortals.

Embracing the Innovation:

Gen Z is a generation more likely to smoothly and seamlessly embrace new technologies and business models. In fact they are a force behind that change; more often than not they are the ones instituting innovative technology based ideas/ solutions. You will find these folks understand new generation preferences and will answer the call by investing in advancements to sell stuff. They believe in and build new industry models that cater to accommodating thought leadership.

Education and skills are another area. Gen Z is interested in STEM fields, and aviation can tap into that by offering innovative training programs and emphasizing the high-tech aspects of the industry. For example, the mode mobility dynamics, which gave rise to electric aircraft of many different types, sports aircraft, urban and advanced air mobility, UAV and inner/outer space theater etc, are the Gen Z thing. And the fact that we know so much about what is happening is again them, the influencers. Social media plays a huge role in their decisions and business plans. Hiring or partnering SMIs (Social Media Influencers) is inherent to Gen Z or their ADD-ON partner plans; I would say a smart move for aviation brands.

Being open to change for leaders is vital to success because while their emotional awareness, communication styles and value-driven approach reshape the workplace, the traits can also lead to setbacks for the organizations where lack of understanding of Gen Z dynamics is sluggish. Managers need to create an environment to capitalize on the strengths with strategies to overcome challenges, including adaptive communication and seeking feedback. And, by encouraging them to collaborate and helping them navigate workplace challenges, leaders can create harmonious and productive environments that benefit everyone.

Overall, understanding and adapting to Gen Z values and preferences will be crucial to an industry that must update to stay relevant.

I was working in an establishment few years ago and happened to visit a senior colleague’s office that day. A younger man was summoned in for what I was led to believe was a ‘squander’ offense of some sort. The more he spoke the more sense he made. So when he had done his thing I followed him out and asked him few more questions. Back with my colleagues who had laid-back by then, I reinitiated the topic (had to be very skillfully at being non-intrusive since I had nothing to do with that department) and convinced them all that not listening to the younger man would be a mistake (little more said). Rational and patient listening was all it took for that little man from being called into question by his superiors to being rewarded for dedication from the same group of managers in less than couple of months.

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