Who is Generation Z?

Gen Z (also known as Zoomers, iGen, or Centennials) includes people born after 1997, succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.

That means the oldest Gen-Zers are finishing college and ready to enter the workforce.

?How to Manage Generation Z in the Workplace

1.????Provide alternative methods to leadership.

Generation-Z is proving not to be job title friends.?They are less interested in climbing the corporate ladder and more intrigued to support their company’s growth and success.?Don’t get too far ahead of yourself when it comes to titles, but do know that they’re growers who are hungry to take on responsibility and leadership.

?2.????Team Collaboration and Communication

Generation Z values social interaction. So much so that?51%?prefer speaking to friends, family, and coworkers face-to-face rather than text.

What should we do?

·??????To choose video calls over phone calls.

·??????Opting for recurring meetings to give Gen Z the human connection they crave.

·??????Not skimping on feedback. Gen Z’s constantly seek validation and want daily communication. Managers should check-in often, offer thoughtful critique, and set up weekly feedback and performance reviews.

·??????Encouraging team bonding with social activities.

·??????Reviewing your communication channels. Gen Z prefers email, text, and social media for day-to-day communication.

?3.????Perks of the Job

Generation-Z have a clear memory of the price their millennial counterparts paid, literally, when they couldn’t find work. They watched siblings and family friends discuss their struggles of finding work and paying college loans, and they have no interest in facing the same hand of cards. Having a solid paying job they can rely on is a value on which they are not willing to compromise.?

·??????Should be a mix of traditional benefits like medical aid, compensation perks, student loan assistance, wellness benefits, and attractive maternity/paternity policies.

·??????Tailor perks like telecommuting to each Gen Z employee. Some will want to work from home a few days a week while others value education.

·??????Get ready to negotiate. Gen Z won’t accept a salary if it doesn’t match their worth. But if you give them the right dollar amount, this generation will work harder and longer.

?4.????Prioritize development and growth

Gen Z craves stability, while millennials crave flexibility. Two seemingly opposing goals, but they have something in common: both respond well to ongoing education. Millennials want to learn and grow to avoid staying stagnant. Gen Z sees new skills as a sort of insurance policy for long-term security.

?Carve out time for professional development and up-skilling, and show how it will benefit them long-term. You could also set up a formal mentorship program, allowing them to learn hands-on from, and build connections with, other people in the organization. These types of programs not only check the professional development box – they also show that you’re invested in your employees’ success, something valued by millennials and Gen Z alike.

?5.????Gen Z should be able to ask questions without fear

Millennials and Gen Z both tend to be more engaged at work when they can see the forest through the trees. They want to know why the work they’re doing is important to the company; why the project where they fit in the broader picture. They also like to know their company shares their values and stands for something beyond its products or services. Whenever possible, connect their work with the why behind it.

?However: both generations also value authenticity (and have super-keen BS-detectors). So, don’t paint an idyllic picture about how their data entry is going to change the world. But even for those smaller projects that “just have to be done,” if you can show the value of the task, you’ll see positive results.

6.????Embrace New Technology & Innovation

Technology and Gen Z go hand in hand. This is the first generation that doesn’t remember a time before Wi-Fi, social media, and the stress of illegally downloading songs on LimeWire.

Managers need to meet the digital needs of Gen Z. This generation expects technology to fit and work seamlessly in their personal and professional lives.

Sluggish Wi-Fi and non-intuitive interfaces will frustrate Gen Z and slow down their output. If you want to keep your Gen Z employees happy, you need to make sure your workplace integrates modern technology to satisfy their desire for social interaction and productivity.

? The future is here: Generation Y&Z

Two generations known for disrupting the status quo are just moments away from becoming the majority of the full-time workforce.

They’re not kids anymore – they’re highly driven and highly demanding of their work environments.

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