Reflecting on an insightful panel discussion at the HR Breakfast Exchange

On Wednesday, 4th September 2024, I had the opportunity to sit on an engaging panel discussion during the HR Breakfast Exchange by Stellenbosch Business School at the Four Points by Sheraton. The talk centered on an aspect that is turning out to be more relevant in Kenya's corporate environment: #TheChangingHRLandscapeinKenya: How Gen Z Has Impacted #OrganizationalCulture.

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The workforce in Kenya has undergone significant changes in recent years, especially in the post-pandemic scenario, and at the heart of this change is Gen Z. As more and more employees of the Gen Z population enter the workplace, they are challenging #conventional definitions of work, and thus compelling organizations to think differently about how they operate with regard to #engaging, #motivating, and #managing talent.

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We delved into some of the myths around Gen Z and more importantly some really positive attributes they bring to today's workforce during the panel. They are considered #hardtomanage, but in fact, they value real #communication, #collaboration, and like to work on #meaningfulwork. They aren't opposed to working hard but do require #clarity and #alignment between their #professional roles and #personal values. It's so important as employers that we tap into this and provide the platforms where they feel engaged and part of something meaningful.

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The other common myth is that Gen Z lacks #commitment or is uninterested in traditional career paths. That's not quite the case; on the contrary, we are seeing that this generation is deeply #committed to #causes that matter, from #sustainability to #diversity and #inclusion, Gen Z expects organizations to mirror #ethical practices through #action rather than #words. This has been driving companies in Kenya to adopt Corporate Social Responsibility into their operations with a more realistic approach. In return, companies that meet these expectations are reaping the benefits of a charged, socially conscious workforce.

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Probably the most outstanding myth we came across was the myth that this generation does not want to put in an #honestdayswork (8to5 ?? ). In reality, this is a generation that values flexibility and #WorkLifebalance, especially post-pandemic. In today's fast-evolving Kenyan work environment, when hybrid modes of working are fast becoming the new normal, the #GenZ preferences for flexibility enables us to craft policies that enhance productivity and take into account overall well-being.

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This is not a more opportune time for the conversation about the role that Gen Z is playing in shaping the HR landscape in Kenya. In fact, it is in pursuit of positioning Kenya to be an innovation hub on the African continent, hence needing an agile, creative, and forward-thinking workforce that remains ahead of the curve. As a matter of fact, Gen Z influences such transformation, creating an inclusive workplace adaptable to the digital age.

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I am grateful to Stellenbosch Business School for availing the platform on which such exciting and educative discussions can be had. The HR Breakfast Exchange was not just a conversation but a call to action for all of us leading in the human resource sphere across Kenya, provoking rethinking around how we actually create our workplace cultures in attempts to attract, retain, and develop Gen Z talent.

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Consequently, the future of work is both a challenge and an opportunity for HR professionals, who will have to be ahead of the curve by embracing the shifts and fostering an environment where all generations can thrive.

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?Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM Kenya) Richard J. Magoma Irene Kimacia, MPRSK, MIHRMInstitute of Human Resource Management (IHRM Kenya)

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#HRLeadership #GenZWorkplace #WorkplaceCultureKenya