I have noticed a new trend lately, and one that confirms the adage that history repeats itself. I have started to see more and more articles about how Gen Z is difficult to work with, or that they are not engaged at work, or how they are too entitled to keep a job, and these articles remind me of a time about 10 years ago when there were articles with the same content, just about a different generation. Mine.
I was born in the early 80s, meaning I am a Millennial. I was blamed for everything from ruining the workplace to killing popular restaurant chains, and the negative articles did not stop until there was a new kid on the block to blame, Gen Z. But aside from the same authors writing the same things about the new generation (which I expected), I have noticed something startling, some of these authors are millennials. This surprised me, just because I assumed that we had a higher level of emotional intelligence than the previous generation.
I have read from numerous sources what Gen Z wants in the workplace – better wages, more input to company direction, more work-life balance, etc. etc. And I can’t help but notice these are the same things Millennials have been fighting for throughout the past 10 years, so why are we giving the new generation a hard time about wanting the same things that we want? We have attended multiple training seminars that say that Millennials want all these same things, so we should be in lock step with the new generation. Some studies are saying that Gen Z will account for 25% of the workforce by 2025. Combine that with Millennials, and you will have a united workforce all wanting the same things.
So, I am writing this blog to my fellow millennials. Face it, we are getting old. I know, it hurts to hear that 10 years ago was 2014 and not 2004. That we are closer to the year 2040 than 2000. But focus up, we have a chance for real change here. We should be welcoming the new generation with open arms, because they will help us achieve the objectives that we have been fighting for. Let’s use our emotional intelligence and all the training that we have attended (and developed) during our time in the workforce to help the new generation get what they want.
We should not be blaming them for killing whatever industry they don’t like, that’s capitalism. Maybe they are not entitled, maybe they just know what they are willing to tolerate and will not let their employer encroach on those things. Maybe they are not easily offended, they are just not willing to overlook microaggressions and discriminating comments.
The workforce has been changing, in my opinion for the better, slowly for the past 20 years. We saw the creation of DEI initiatives, work-life balance was taken more seriously, and workers had more of a voice. But in the past year, I have noticed a trend backwards. DEI initiatives have been shelved or terminated completely, wages are still stagnated, and the COVID work from home boom has started to recede. But we can start the change again if we work together.
Gen Z does not want anything that Millennials have not already been asking for. They want to feel valued, be paid what they are worth, and they want to work to live and not live to work. And I will be one Elderly Millennial that will willingly help them achieve their goals. And if you have not had the opportunity to attend some fantastic training on emotional intelligence, just take a look at our website where we provide multiple courses, such as Developing the Emotionally Intelligent Leader.
