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Gen Z is again in the news with their "lack of work ethic" so, I was like okay, but what do they want that is so outrageous and I wouldn't want? The result? Absolutely nothing.
Working from home or hybrid? I want that too!
Flexible working hours? I want that too!
Wanting to go home on time? I want that too!
Wanting to be respected? I want that too!
Wanting their opinion to be considered? I want that too!
Wanting to work according to their contracts? I want that too!
Wanting to set boundaries around work and private life? I want that too!
Not wanting to waste time in useless meetings? I don't want that either!
Not wanting to waste time and money on hours of commuting? I don't want that either!
There is nothing that Gen Z wants and I (Gen X) don't! Gen Z is not that magical creature who is unreasonable, rebellious or disrespectful. Every generation has rebelled againts the previous ones. Every generation did things differently. Every generation values different things. And every parent has said "This young generation will not make it to anything" yet we are all here doing just ok.
There is one major difference though, between Gen Z and the rest. They are not yet brainwashed by the corporate programming. They are fresh off the boat! So the honesty you see when they say "inappropriate" things like "I don't need to like my job I just have to do it" or "I think this manager is not a great one" is because they haven't been programmed yet to say what is expected but to say how they think and feel. Maybe that honesty must be listened to and valued.
You want the same as Gen Z but you are scared to say it because you have been programmed not to. You have been programmed to think "What will others say of you..." or "I will lose my job if I ......" It is not that Gen Z doesn't care about losing their job but that they don't think that they will if they say what they think and feel.
You want the same as Gen Z but you don't want them to have it because you didn't have it!
Maybe we shouldn't punish the behaviour that we instilled in them while raising them. Gen X raised them to be outspoken, talk about how they feel, decide over their dinner, what they wear etc... But now when the same generation has to work with them, all of a sudden they don't like what they raised!? It is your handy work, you created them, so now deal with them. But they don't want to. I watched a video of a Gen X business owner saying "We don't hire Gen Z because ....." Well, you are missing out!
Gen Z doesn't want anything that others don't want. They are just not programmed yet not to say it and I think it is for the benefit of any business. This is when change can happen because if you are surrounded by people who say what is expected to say there will be no change. Differences in opinion should not be the reason for not hiring or firing. Differences of opinion should trigger conversation and change or at least be acknowledged as part of life. Do you think the Boomers, Gen X or the Millenials agree with things? No, they don't but they have been programmed to keep quiet. It is useful for stagnation and to maintain the status quo but not useful if we want change.
If you want to learn how to think about corporate practices differently here is my second book. This will definitely change your mind over things we mindlessly do:
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