Generation Z is here – they have largely grown up digitally, question rigid hierarchies and value diversity and sustainability. Their aspiration to combine work with personal growth and social impact is inspiring – but often also uncomfortable for those who grew up with the classic ‘work to live’ mantra.
For the new generation, the traditional application process with lengthy forms and standardized cover letters is a relic of the past. They are looking for transparency, efficiency and – above all – appreciation, which should already be noticeable during the application process. But not every job can appear glamorous or highly significant.
Gen Z has a strong idea of what it wants – and it is not afraid to demand it loudly. This self-assurance can sometimes be interpreted as an exaggerated ego.
This so-called minimum effort for maximum reward raises questions: Where is the willingness to perform first? The focus on work-life balance often borders on a sense of entitlement, which seems like a slap in the face to older generations. For Gen Z, work-life balance is not a nice extra but an absolute must. Although this attitude promotes health and well-being, it is often interpreted to mean that the job is always secondary. A behaviour that causes a lack of understanding among older generations.
One issue that causes a lack of understanding among Gen Z is when technologies are not utilised to their full potential. For them, new technologies are not innovations; they are everyday life. They navigate their way through various tools and drive digitalization forward. Older colleagues are often more cautious when it comes to new technologies. The gap is extreme when Gen Z simply ‘overruns’ their working environment with new technologies out of impatience, and this is met with a lack of understanding from their older colleagues. The lack of understanding that younger colleagues have when the technologies are not used. Mutual patience and understanding then help to build bridges.
The key lies in balance: when companies combine the innovative power of Gen Z with the experience of older generations, a work culture is created that favours collaboration rather than antagonism. Change has happened, but with mutual understanding and openness, we can benefit from each other. The next generation is already waiting with its new values…