Generation Z, born between 1995 – 2005, is different from the others they interact with in the workplace. They focus on overall job satisfaction and well-being. They are increasingly concerned about climate change and see environmental sustainability as a key area where they can make an impact. They also share that community engagement and the organisation’s societal impact is an important factor when considering a potential employer.
Generation Z people are the first fully digital generation. Their technological knowledge is undeniable, but because of their individualism and global role models, there is room for improvement in their soft skills.
In the workplace
Many managers complain that Gen Z employees “come in late and leave early, dress inappropriately and spend too much time on social media.” That’s a quote from the book “Bridging the Soft Skills Gap: How to Teach the Missing Basics to Today’s Young Talent” by Bruce Tulgan. According to the author, many Gen Zers still lack self-awareness, problem-solving skills, teamwork and people skills.
Professionalism requires self-assessment and the ability to evaluate one’s thoughts, words and actions in the context of accepted standards. Generation Z employees must learn to evaluate themselves by objective standards, to ask themselves if they are effective, if they are doing high-quality work, if they can prioritize, and if they are positive.
Critical thinking is an important problem-solving skill that is based on learning best practices to apply in difficult situations. To learn critical thinking, Generation Z employees should emphasize proactive learning.
Members of Generation Z know that they are not likely to work at a company for their entire career or even for very long. In an era of layoffs, they know that their jobs are not guaranteed or that their full-time status may turn into part-time. In this atmosphere, many Generation Z employees do not feel comfortable having mentors, but it is useful at all career stages and is a commonly used development tool, with a proven beneficial impact on performance, confidence and career progression.
In search of balance
In the search for a better balance between work and leisure and redefining the model for success, Gen Zers are using the term JOMO – the joy of missing out. It means slowing down and experiencing the joy of not being part of all the trendy trends.
Helping members of Generation Z develop their soft skills promotes harmony in the workplace, optimizes performance, improves teamwork, boosts morale, and empowers members of Generation Z to reach their potential.
