“At the Table”: Unlocking the Power of Gen Z in the Workplace

Gen Zs are undoubtedly the future. By 2030, this demographic will make up more than 30 per cent of our global workforce. In Asia Pacific alone, Gen Zs constitute a quarter of the region’s population. This number is only set to increase, and their influence is growing rapidly across our society, especially in the workplace.

As we navigate a new era of work, shaped by AI and evolving workplace dynamics, it is crucial for leaders to not only adapt to, but also embrace the unique qualities and contributions that Gen Zs bring to the workforce.?

In this episode of “At the Table'', I speak to Gautam Talwar, APAC General Manager at Spotify,? the world’s most popular audio streaming service, and Lee See Ting, a Gen Z expert and author of Gen Z Secrets, to explore what motivates this generation, and how business leaders can fine-tune their talent strategies to better connect with the workforce of the future.??

Here are some takeaways from our chat:

1.? Generational shift: from making a living to making a life

During our chat, Gautam shared a thought-provoking insight: “With Gen X, it was about making a living. With Gen Z, it is about making a life.” This perfectly sums up the difference in perceptions about work between Gen Zs and the other generations.?

See Ting emphasised that: “Each generation is very different. You are going to hear a lot of Gen Zs talk about pursuing their passion, doing things that they are excited about. On the other hand, you will hear other generations that say pursuing your passion will not put food on the table. What we see here is that there is a difference of mindsets.”

We can learn from each generation. While Gen Zs are often viewed as challenging conventional workplace norms, they’ve also been credited for pushing topics like mental health to the forefront.?

There are also several factors that have contributed to how Gen Z’s view work. Growing up in a digitally connected world, Gen Zs have easy access to finding more information about various careers and industries. They are also more exposed to global issues, and most recently, market uncertainties and job market fluctuations, which makes them more intentional in looking for purpose-driven careers.?

As the next generation of the workforce, it is crucial for leaders to understand their perceptions towards work, and reevaluate talent strategies to better connect with and retain Gen Z talents.

2. Gen Z's seek values alignment

See Ting shared that Gen Zs want to align themselves with organisations that share similar values – and one of these values is diversity. Gautam added that Gen Zs are an incredibly diverse generation, and believe in listening to diverse voices before they can take a stand and make decisions. “It is important that the conditions of the workplace are inclusive and enable diverse perspectives to be presented and represented.”?

A report from LinkedIn found that company culture is increasingly important to employees, especially for Gen Zs – in fact, 87% of Gen Zs would leave their jobs if the values of the new company were more closely aligned. We also observed that companies are adapting to the shifting preferences of job seekers. In the last two years, there has been a 154% surge in job postings for entry-level positions that highlight the values of the company.?

Company values are a key factor for Gen Zs in choosing which organisations that they would want to work for. Companies need to communicate their values effectively to attract and engage the next gen workforce, and to retain these talents by creating a work environment that shares common values and strives towards shared goals.?

3. Creating a safe space for Gen Z at work

Gen Zs are exposed to global issues which have broadened and shaped their perceptions. These have contributed to how they define their values and are also reflected in what they seek at work, such as prioritising authenticity, and advocating for a workplace that promotes inclusivity and supportive cultures.?

This is also why Gen Zs place importance on having a safe space at work. For instance, topics that we used to consider “taboo” are conversations that this generation might prioritise, including mental health, workplace flexibility, and an environment to make mistakes and to learn and grow.

Leaders need to prioritise and actively work towards normalising conversations about these topics and establishing a safe space for Gen Zs, to enhance their engagement, productivity and satisfaction in the workplace.?

4. The importance of continuous learning?

We are living in an era that is evolving so rapidly that whatever we’ve learnt in school is likely to become obsolete very quickly. Just like other generations, Gen Zs must keep learning to keep pace.

It is important to provide this generation with upskilling opportunities at work, to keep them engaged, adaptable and relevant in the future workforce. Based on LinkedIn’s data, aside from advocating for equal rights and social justice, Gen Zs want to learn new skills (74%), be successful (73%) and be financially secure (72%).?

In today’s dynamic workforce where 5 generations coexist, effective communication and fostering diversity and inclusion are keys to driving success and innovation.?

Let me know what are some of your thoughts around Gen Zs at work, and stay tuned for the next episode of “At the Table” in December!