Let's Learn, Not Label

Far be it for me to argue with Simon Sinek but…

There is a notion that the young adults in this generation we call “Z” are not as resilient to stress.? I have come to understand that notion is completely false. Instead of demonstrating a weakness, this generation is simply not conforming to the bad habits and bad leadership of the past.? They are in fact more resilient and principled in what they believe and why it is important.

To put this dichotomy into focus, Simon Sinek’s most profound and well-known observation of “Why,” and law of diffusion of innovation talks about a range of people.? When I think about the generations in the workplace today in that context it becomes clear that maybe the “laggards” are labeling the “innovators”. ?Gen Z believe in doing things that truly matter.? They are driven by purpose.? They don’t quit jobs because they cannot handle the stress.? They quit jobs because the stress is artificially manufactured and there is no communicated purpose.? That is very different than the notion that they just can’t handle it.? The alternative view point is that they are on the front line and fighting for the good of the whole workforce, and everyone, even the laggards is benefiting from their before mentioned “weakness”.

Beyond quitting, when word gets out into their community that a workplace is not safe or treats their employees badly, this generation doesn’t just quit working there.? They stop buying the products, eating the food or gathering in these establishments.? That is principle not weakness.? It is something to be learned from not deterred.

Coming from a generation we call “X” and labeled as a “Slacker” I am in a position to speak to mislabeling.? Would you call Simon Sinek a slacker?? Not likely.? It is amazing that we are so quick to label large swaths of people reductively without really taking the time to understand that maybe their motivations and behavioral differences are innovative or even evolutionary rather than threatening.

If I look at this through the “Global Mindset” or even through a cultural anthropology lens, aren’t we, meaning the rest of the workforce, responding to their demand for change with simple fear?? Are we, the weaker group, labeling an entire generation “weak” and pushing old, stale ideas on an entire generation we should be learning from?? Just a thought.

The millennials started down a path to better equip us for the future and Gen Z is continuing to move in a direction that if you really think about it, benefits us all.? Isn’t having purpose, happiness and the security to be who you are, whatever that looks like, an instinctual human desire?? Isn’t accepting people into a purpose and communicating “Why” that purpose matters more productive, not to mention easier, than “othering” and then continuously attempting to force a square peg into a round hole?

For years have we not talked about the need for people to take time off and take care of themselves both physically and emotionally as a necessity for high performance?? Then why, when a new generation comes into the workforce and does just that, do we shun their behavior as counterproductive??

So, in observation of this talented, educated and magnificent group of young people we have minimized to last place with the letter Z, I say thank you.? Thank you for reminding the rest of us that purpose, individuality and simple civility matters.? Thank you for pushing the business world today to do better than it did yesterday.

Rather than thinking of this as anything profound, (although possibly lifechanging,) accepting that change is inevitable and embracing the leadership of tomorrow as the business-world’s moonshot thinkers rather than attempting to mold them into leadership of the past is just common sense.? Maybe instead of labeling them we should be listening to them…