Why wholesale criticism of Gen Z in job/career terms is unfair and unhelpful

So much commentary in recent years has?bemoaned the work ethic, inflexibility and overly-sensitive nature of Gen Z. Sure, there's issues out there that need to be discussed, but hasn't that always been the case? Can any of us honestly say we didn't see/know of people - when we were in our 20s - who displayed some of the exact same traits or other characteristics that?created conflict at the time? Each generation has to find its own way but also deal with inter-generational perception critique that it receives. On both counts - given challenges in job markets, growth of AI, cost pressures and political shifts - Gen Z is having to face some headwinds.

3 reasons why wholesale criticism of Gen Z in job/career terms unfair and unhelpful:?

1. Covid isolation was brutal. Sure, it was for everyone. However, most of us had in-person career experience and more years of building our career skills in traditional organisations which then enabled us to 'flex/navigate' when Covid isolation came along. Gen Z didn't. They either hadn't had sufficient time to develop those same career skills?or they had to battle through university remotely at a critical point in their professional/interpersonal growth. Their?starting?point for entry into careers was far different from before. (I know one Gen Z who did her entire masters degree 100% remotely and was not able to meet a single course mate, lecturer in person nor attend any in-person graduation. By the way, she nailed her masters degree).??
2. Their entrepreneurial?spirit. Gen Z are absolutely going for it, in terms of building new businesses. It's incredible to watch; you only need to spend?a few minutes on LinkedIn to see how they're doubling down. They are willing to take career chances, quickly and publicly. (A June 2024 article in Forbes cites a survey by Square showing 84% of Gen Z want to own their own company in the future). Ok, so these businesses are heavily correlated with online product monetisation, eCommerce / shipping, personal branding growth and online networking/community building so the social media theme is pretty clear. However, they're just using the tools they know/have access to and doing so phenomenally well. I personally am learning from watching them operate / develop their businesses and solving?issues. They have social media/marketing/customer engagement skills that we mid-career folks should really dig into.
3. Resiliency skills aren't acquired automatically. Per a previous article of mine here, resilience is a career and life skill which is necessary but rarely taught. Criticism of those who don't have it - without constructive ways to help acquire it, particularly from business owners - won't shift the needle. A more constructive way forward is to engage with Gen Z pragmatically and empathetically to encourage in-person working (as often as viable), debate business topics and help them challenge ideas/opinions and strategies actively within a professional setting. Set aside team time each week to debate some key topics, openly. It's going to be more useful to show them that differences of ideas need not generate personal anxiety/self doubt, rather than merely decry the lack of resilience that exists. Robustly debating business ideas, empowers all of us to share our insights whilst learning from others and Gen Z then have the chance to lean in. ??

Happy to discuss / dm me

(image courtesy of leonardo.ai)