If our news and social feeds are to be believed, there’s a polarizing tension between the generations, leading to the perception that the Gen Z entrants to the workforce are markedly different from America’s corporate leadership, made up mostly of baby boomers and Gen X. As companies across the country shift uncomfortably in their seats, trying to figure out how to appeal to this new and different generation, it is worth asking whether they’re actually that different.
As is commonplace throughout history, the youth face the harshest criticism from older generations due to their modern beliefs and behaviors. We were judged by our grandparents and we will judge our grandchildren; this has always been the way.
But, I believe the current Gen Z perceptions (and misperceptions) are causing businesses to over-react to what they perceive as an entirely new species of human—a species exclusively focused on climate change, global politics, gender and identity politics and every other kind of minefield for leadership teams.
The Challenges Of A Multi-Generational Office
Through the first decade of the 2000s, the generational derision was focused on millennials who entered the workforce with sharply differing beliefs from the Gen Xers who came before them. Growing up with or without the internet and with or without helicopter parents meant Gen X and millennials were markedly different in their beliefs and approaches to work. Fast forward a few years and we have the Gen Z’ers entering the workforce; businesses need to understand who they are, what they believe and what they want.
Add to that the complex and potentially precarious situation where, due to increased life expectancy and extended retirement ages, we have five generations in the workforce at the same time. Senior management roles are predominantly held by the pre-internet generations, all competing to attract talented Gen Zers who they often don’t understand. It is estimated that by 2025, 25% of the global workforce will be made up of Gen Z.
More Alike Than Different
But is Gen Z really that different? I find that the data suggests they are far more similar to the older generations than the media wants you to believe. In a recent youth study conducted by Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, climate change ranks a lowly 13 out of 16 topics of concern to Gen Z. Major global political issues rank even lower on the list of issues or concerns. It would appear that the majority of Gen Z are not as socially and politically charged as they’re commonly portrayed.
Practical domestic issues such as inflation, healthcare and housing rank as far higher concerns—concerns shared with Millennials and Gen X. The words “practical” and “domestic” jump out in these results and should give corporate America some mental peace.
In other words, Gen Z is not a new species of wildly woke, prone to being triggered, youngsters with out-of-touch expectations. They’re young Americans worried about the cost of living and whether they want to commit their entire lives to working a job that does nothing more than allow them to survive. Proof of this lies in the fact that 70% of Gen Zers list salary as their top requirement for their next job.
Real Concerns
What the research does reveal is a generation with a high awareness of mental health issues. Of those polled, 90% report suffering from anxiety, 78% from depression and the same percentage suffering from loneliness. While the awareness of the risks of mental health issues is to be lauded, the high percentages of the youth suffering from mental health issues should be a critical worry for the business sector.
If you are looking to attract talented Gen Z employees or you’re planning on selling to them, I think it’s critical not to be swayed by the perceptions driven through your news and social feeds. Gen Z is different, just like every generation before them. The world is different now, as it was for every generation before.
But overall, Gen Z is far more the same than they are different. They care about the economy, the cost of living and their quality of life. They care deeply about mental health and suffer under it. If you want to engage with them, you need to place these concerns at the very top of your agenda.
If you’re running a business, think about how to create a mentally safe environment and how to promote healthy work practices; otherwise, I say stay away from trying to jump onto certain trends that you believe may sway Gen Z into your workplace. Always keep in mind the differences, but also acknowledge that they have a lot more in common with previous generations than you think.