Discover why the outspoknness of Gen Z is a game-changer for the modern workplace and how it can benefit your organization.
Gen Z this, Gen Z that.
Everyone always has something to say about Gen Z. And for good reason; they’re a very “interesting” (for lack of a better word) subgroup/age group. Some say they are very difficult to deal with, while some hold that they are lazy and entitled. Interestingly, every younger/ newer generation seems to face this, with the older guys not seeing eye-to-eye with them (ironically, Gen X once called millennials, the new adults, selfish, uncaring, and lazy– the exact words millennials use for Gen Z).
And if we’re keeping it a buck, I have come across even Gen Zs saying the same about the current youngest generation, Gen Alpha (2013- present). I mean, just look at this:
It’s like when you were in SS3, and every teacher would always say, “You guys are the worst set we’ve ever had in this school!” It couldn’t have been true, but they said it anyway and continued to do so for every set after.
But how about some positives? In this issue of the SimplVest newsletter, we’ll take on a surprising piece of information: just how one of Gen Z’s strongest strengths (and source of complaint from the oldies) may push for changes that can benefit us all.
Gen Z’s Boldness: A Game-Changer in the Workplace
It’s been established– Gen Z isn’t shy about speaking up and advocating for workplace issues they care about. From conversations about salary transparency or mental health, Gen Z can and will speak up.
Their boldness isn’t that well-received and might unsettle HR leaders and bosses—leading some higher-ups to call Gen Z the “most difficult” generation to work with—and that might seem like a problem. But if you “deep it”, as they say, it can also be a valuable asset for the youngest members of the workforce.
Challenging the Status Quo
Dr. Benjamin Granger, Qualtrics’s chief workplace psychologist, puts it this way,
“Gen Z’s greatest strength is that they’re more likely than other generations to challenge the status quo.”
I know, I know. If you’re not Gen Z, you may see this as loud and rude; some people are just that. However, this willingness to question norms can be the spark needed to boost innovation and creativity. Of course, every generation has pushed against established practices in some way, but you have to admit that Gen Z does so with newfound confidence and thoughtfulness.
Advocates for Social and Environmental Responsibility
Another one of Gen Z’s defining characteristics is their strong sense of social and environmental responsibility. They’re vocal about creating equitable, sustainable workplaces. Unlike previous generations, they push employers to be more accountable for their impact on employees and society at large. You could argue that we have all these conversations about work-life balance because of Gen Zs.
They’re also not shy about taking matters down to issues like investing, and maintaining very serious standards for companies they choose to pull their lots in with.
It’s a long shot, but there’s a significant impact. When younger employees encourage their organizations to shift from corporate neutrality to openly expressing values, it can lead to more efficient processes, happier employees, and better products. Research even supports this, showing that being proactive and speaking up means your career is more likely to be linked with positive outcomes, such as promotions and stronger co-worker relationships.
See? Good things can happen when you open your mouth, Shanice!
*Shanice is a fictional character. We’re actually talking to you, dearest gentle reader.
Navigating Feedback Challenges
Er, so here’s the bad part. Unfortunately, not all feedback is welcomed. Executives might be frustrated with employees breaking long-held ‘culture.’
After all, change is a testy subject to even the most adaptable person. To minimize negative repercussions, just take a step back and do your homework before raising an issue.
Ask yourself:
“Will this person (manager or colleague) realistically take action on my suggestion?”
While you’re at it, account for time or resource constraints (sometimes, it really is just a lack of resources). And make sure, above all else, that your opinion helps the entire team or organization succeed, not just yourself.
Of course, we lose the whole plot if we look at the entire convo from solely the angle of Gen Zs.
For feedback to be truly effective, leaders need to create an environment where it is encouraged and solicited. It’s a two-way street, as they say.
“So, How do I Speak Out More Effectively?”…
We’re glad you asked! When speaking up at work, it’s important to follow these guidelines to make your voice effective:
Rationale: Ensure your ideas are thoughtful, well-developed, and based on sound logic.
- Make a compelling & logical argument that supports your ideas.
- Show that you’ve done your homework by gathering evidence and explaining why your idea is needed or helpful.
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of the issue and consider various solutions.
Feasibility: Make sure your suggestions are realistic and achievable.
- Consider time and resource constraints that could hinder implementation.
- Assess whether the benefits will outweigh the costs of enacting your idea.
- Develop a plan for rolling out your idea effectively.
Organizational Focus: Connect your proposal to the company’s goals and vision.
- Show how the outcomes align with the organization’s bottom-line and objectives.
- Highlight how your idea addresses a real need within the organization.
- Emphasize the positive impact on many people and the organization as a whole.
Novelty: Bring something new to the table by considering alternative viewpoints.
- Distinguish your idea from typical approaches in your company.
- Clarify what makes your idea particularly creative and original.
- Approach the situation from a different perspective to offer unique insights.
And if you’re wondering why you should even bother, well think of it this way: giving and receiving feedback can help you discover different parts of yourself that you never knew existed– and is also great for your professional growth.
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Cheers!
Dami from SimplVest 🚀
