Is this accurate?
I've been reading a lot about this topic, and how opportunities are rising for Millennials and Gen X, much thanks to how they are perceived. There's a negative, unfair perception of Gen Z, and most companies turn to older, perhaps more "reliable" personalities.
Again, we're talking about perception. So, before you snap and take personal offence, breathe and read the next few lines if you wish.
Let me start by saying I work with many Gen Zers and love their energy. They're right in wanting to reshuffle the workplace, and it's only natural that friction exists between some of their (older) managers and what is a brand-new level of expectations.
They're passionate, talented, highly technical and ridiculously comfortable with tech - as you'd expect. Sure, they have plans and their commitment is not always about sweating your company's colours no matter what, but look at the cyclic waves of people losing their jobs, particularly in #tech. Can you seriously blame them?
With that in mind, are they wrong in wanting more? Did my generation or the one before get anything else other than a salary in exchange for their tireless efforts? How many thousands of hours that should've belonged to family and friends went into these companies, sometimes without as much as an extra penny earned?
- yes, I fit that description. The weekends, the holidays, Christmas, unpaid extra time. And no, I'm not happy about it, but those were the rules and anyone unhappy could move on, as there was a large queue behind.
Can you then understand why they aren't willing to die by the sword for their next employer?
I don't like generalizing, but businesses require flexible and committed individuals, and might not be so keen - or even able! - to throw a ton of benefits on the table, particularly knowing people are using them as the next step of the ladder.
This article (free to read on mobile) makes a solid case in Gen Zer's favour. They are misunderstood, and rightfully so, by the same generations who leapt from analogic to digital.
Know this much: the pace at which Gen Z moves is faster than any other before. Organizations can only adapt at such a rate, and trying to use dated models to tame them will only result in wasted potential.
Again, looking at the state of the world, I guess we at least owe them a chance. Or a few, before we immediately start having a go at them.
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I write about #iGaming and #contenmanagement in a #remotework universe. Follow me for a crying shoulder - you're not alone!