Older Generation Needs to Stop Blaming Gen Z

That morning, in a WhatsApp group, someone suddenly criticized Gen Z. He claimed that this generation is lazy, unwilling to work hard, individualistic, and lacking communication skills. Several other members immediately chimed in, reinforcing the stereotypes we've all heard.

A few of us tried to set the record straight. "It can't be generalized like that. Many Gen Zs are actually diligent, intelligent, and innovative," I said. But still, the discussion ended on the same note—Gen Z was considered "problematic."

Later that night, a friend called me. He complained about the same thing, saying that in his office, many Gen Z employees are unruly, disloyal, and easily bored. I had to chuckle—why would he confide in me, a Gen Z myself?

But then I started to think—why are these stories so similar? Is this a common phenomenon? Or are there other factors influencing this perception?

In my current office, we have recruited dozens of Gen Z employees over the years. The result? They are diligent, fast learners, communicative, and some even outperform other generations. They are critical thinkers, quick to adapt, and have a flexible mindset when solving problems.

The next day, I had a chat with my friend Bahri. Bahri is no ordinary person. He graduated cum laude from one of the best universities in Indonesia, worked in Paris and Singapore, and now lives in Bintaro with his wife and two children. After years in multinational companies, he chose to join a company in Indonesia.

Interestingly, Bahri has had great success in recruiting and managing Gen Z employees. In his company, the work culture is strong. Employees are engaged, work with passion, and take initiative.

"What's the secret, Ri?" I asked.

Bahri smiled. "The key is in the right selection. We balance two main factors: ABC and CDE."

"What does that mean?"

"ABC stands for Attitude, Behavior, and Character. CDE stands for Competence, Diploma, and Experience. As long as we focus on these two aspects, we can find talent who not only have skills but also a strong work ethic."

I nodded. "But many say Gen Z is unruly, easily quits, and lacks loyalty..."

Bahri chuckled. "Loyalty is not a generational issue; it's an environmental one. If a company fails to build a healthy work culture, anyone will leave easily, not just Gen Z."

That made sense. It made me think even more.

Recently, I had a conversation with one of the HR leaders from Paragon Technology & Innovation, the company behind big brands like Wardah, Make Over, and Emina. I was curious to know how they managed to build such an amazing work culture where thousands of employees are loyal and work with full initiative—without needing to be constantly told what to do.

The HR leader told me that Paragon's work culture is highly humanistic. They don’t just demand performance; they genuinely appreciate their employees. Their core values are Faith in God, Care, Humility, Grit, and Innovation.

One concrete example of their work culture was when Paragon organized a massive employee gathering in Malaysia. What made it interesting? They had to charter seven planes to bring the whole team there.

And what’s even cooler? The idea came from the HRCA (Human Resources & Corporate Affairs) team, which consists mostly of Gen Z employees!

Initially, there were concerns about costs and the effectiveness of the event. But the HRCA team presented a solid proposal. They backed it up with data and strategy, showing how investing in employee happiness would have a long-term impact on productivity.

The result? The gathering was a huge success. Employees became more motivated, retention rates increased, and the work environment became even stronger. All of this was the result of Gen Z's initiative and execution.

So, Whose Fault Is It?

The question now is: Is it true that Gen Z is lazy and incapable of working hard? Or do they simply need an environment that understands and nurtures their potential?

Perhaps, instead of continuing to blame Gen Z, we should ask ourselves:

"Have we built a workplace where they can thrive?"