It doesn’t have to be World War Z in the office.
LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davies shares five tips for working with Gen Z, who have recently come under fire for not showing up for interviews and even ignoring their employers on their first day at work.
“As a generation that entered the workforce in hybrid and remote work environments, Gen Z is missing out on the informal observations and vital cues that traditionally guide behavior and collaboration, so it’s vital that employees actively engage with them in a meaningful way.” Davies told the Daily Mail on Sunday.
Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) is expected to represent approximately a quarter of the world’s workforce By 2025, Davies recommends learning about their career motivations, supporting their professional development and listening to their ideas. Here’s how.
Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) is expected to account for about a quarter of the global workforce by 2025. Seventy-four – stock.adobe.com
Find out what motivates them
“It’s well documented that Gen Z is a strong advocate of work-life balance and has different attitudes towards work styles,” Davies said. “Consider taking a step back to understand why this resonates so much with them.”
A survey that Georgetown University conducted last year of workers aged 24 to 35 found that flexible working hours and a greater work-life balance were key to their happiness.
Survey participants cited eight benefits of paid time off and flexible work among the top 10 most desired benefits.
“It is our responsibility as business leaders to understand the changing nature of work so that we can build a future that enables current and future generations to thrive,” Paul Almeida, dean and William R. Berkley Chair at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, said in a statement at the time.
Help your professional development
An analysis for 2023 A study by management consultancy Korn Ferry found that 76% of Gen Z employees acknowledge that learning and development increases their engagement in the workplace.
Davies said LinkedIn data shows 38% of Gen Zers say they would ask a member of a different generation for career advice.
“Our research shows that half of employees recognise that professionals who started their careers during the pandemic, predominantly Gen Z, need additional support to develop soft skills such as communication, leadership and empathy,” Davies told the Daily Mail.
Davies recommends engaging in team brainstorming sessions and in-person meetings so Gen Z can comfortably share their ideas. Studio Romantic – stock.adobe.com
Soft skills, traits that are difficult to quantify but are important for building relationships in the workplace, also include teamwork, problem-solving, time management, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability and persuasion.
“Try to open up avenues to actively engage with your Gen Z colleagues by inviting them into conversations and asking for their opinions and feedback,” Davies advised. “Encouraging open communication in the workplace is beneficial for all employees and creates stronger teams.”
Establish ‘experiential learning environments’
Davies recommends engaging in team brainstorming sessions and in-person meetings so Gen Z can comfortably share their ideas.
They can build their professional network and gain confidence in their industry if you invite them to networking events and introduce them to other entrepreneurs.
Allow them to be your reverse mentor
Rather than dismissing Gen Z’s workplace advice, Davies suggests embracing it by committing to reverse mentoring, which is when a younger or more junior employee mentors a more experienced colleague.
“This relationship can help you stay on top of current trends in the workplace and also develop your own career, while promoting the development of skills such as leadership, communication and networking for your Gen Z colleagues,” Davies explained to the Daily Mail.
Rather than dismissing Gen Z’s advice for the workplace, Davies suggests embracing it by engaging in reverse mentoring, which is when a younger or more junior employee mentors a more experienced colleague. amnaj – stock.adobe.com
Don’t judge their values in the workplace
“Try to put your preconceptions aside and take the time to appreciate that they entered the workforce at different, unprecedented times and, as a result, have different priorities,” Davies advises.
“Rather than working against Gen Z’s distinctive approach to the world of work, harness their drive to improve through regular meetings with line managers that offer constructive, real-time feedback, as this will serve to keep Gen Z employees engaged and motivated,” she added.
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