Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Children are here to stay. And they don't want to play by our (our, being anyone millennial and older) rules. More and more The workers of General Z enter the workforce, so much has been said about this new batch of worker bees—except they're not like the bees we're used to. Despite the stereotypes and assumptions many of us have old heads may have, Gen Z is a force to be reckoned with. Why? Well, they are right, as are we.
My company employs a handful of Gen Z worker bees, and I'd be lying if I said it was an easy adjustment. Back to my time — yes, my day was very different — I came into a work environment where big guys in big suits told us what to do, and even if we were scared sick, we were even more afraid to take a sick day. That is until the world took a collective sick day during the pandemic. The impressionable, scared, and inappropriately inexperienced Gen Z had to jump into a workforce none of us were prepared for.
It seemed like the rules and expectations were changing regularly and, mostly for the better, these changes opened many workers' eyes to the possibility of what the hive could be. The things we longed for, like flexibility and security, were not only expected, but demanded. And the kids – I mean Gen Z – came in never knowing what working life was really like before 2020.
Connected: 7 things you need to know before managing a Gen Z team
Generation Z worker bees entered the workforce without the experience of generations before them. Yes, they are great at social media and technology, but with that comes limited skills interpersonal communicationconfidence using phones (updated phones with voices on the other side) and the ability to hold attention for longer than a TikTok reel.
Some of these issues that we older generations observe within Gen Z can be extremely frustrating. We want them to function exactly as we do, but it's impossible to expect certain behaviors to appear out of nowhere. And studies are showing a rapid increase mental health problems with Gen Z (but really, I believe we're all affected by the increased use of social media and instant gratification) which further puts them at a slight disadvantage, being more afraid to speak up for themselves and themselves, having low self-confidence and energy, etc.
Here's the reality: Gen Z is the future. The present future. At Bear Icebox, our goal is to empower our Gen Z worker bees to step up and become true leaders – in their own way. These are some of the ways we are empowering our team:
Expression in a safe place
Gen Z is not afraid of self-expression. We see this displayed through their clothing and social media platforms. But where this fear ends is when it comes to getting feedback or talking about themselves unfamiliar situations. We do our best to encourage our team to speak up and speak up, especially in these uncomfortable situations. Why? Those who are comfortable to be uncomfortable will rule.
In my experience, I have always been vocal. In fact, in my last jobs before Bear Icebox, I actively participated in reviewing and updating outdated policies. Speaking up was risky, but I learned that having a risk-taking mindset is what sets me apart. Now it is my duty to encourage this the new generation of leaders to do the same.
Engaging collaboration
It is my observation that Gen Z wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They want to feel like they are making a difference or an impact on the world. When it comes to the workplace, Gen Z workers aren't just chasing the money previous generations – they want theirs voices heard. So give them a space to be truly collaborative.
At Bear Icebox, we encourage open dialogue and collaboration, not only on client projects, but also on internal policies and practices. The old-school way of managing looked more like a dictatorship (okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but I like a bit of dramatic flair), but the younger generations will expect to be as much a part of the decision-making as their superiors . Ever-changing workplace rules since the pandemic have opened the door to this kind of thing COOPERATION between managers and employees. And I don't see things stopping anytime soon.
Embracing reality
Gen Z is very honest. Very, very honest. Though their lives have been curated since birth and birth, there's a sweet innocence to their unfiltered vulnerability. In my experience working with Gen Z, they have told me things that I would never have thought to tell my supervisor – not even my mother for that matter. But this openness and authenticity it is quite refreshing. Our agency has a mission of complete transparency (that's why we started Bear Icebox) to always be honest, clear and accepting. The truth is, when everyone feels they can be real and authentic in the workplace, it builds confidence and trust in future leaders.
Connected: Gen Z brings a whole new dynamic to the workforce
Waiting for an open mind
People change every day. So is life. And if you are unable keep an open mind in relation to it, things can get difficult. To me, an open mind isn't just about accepting someone else's ideas or way of life, it's about being open to that person when things change. Gen Z is likely to go through a lot of change – rightly so. They are young and whether we have patience or not, they are still learning. In fact, we are all still learning. But the learning part is easier when we do it together. Expect an open mind, expect change and discomfort. It will keep you less rigid and hopefully less frustrated.
As a leader preparing new leaders of the world, we must show our strength by being a foundation for the new generation. With all our experience and wisdom of behaviors that worked and didn't work, we actually have the power to make everything better. We do nothing when we complain. Magic happens when we act.