You or your loved ones may still be complaining about Generation Y, the Millennials.
I know this because I hear the complaints from a Baby Boomer or early Gen X-er at just about every business I work with:
- “Gen Y needs constant feedback!”
- “They are too idealistic.”
- “They want experiences over money!”
When Baby Boomers complain about this, I ask them what generation raised these Millennials. But I digress. …
If the complaints are accurate, we might say, “So? If Gen Y is the hand you’re dealt, wouldn’t you like to play it?”
We’ve talked about Millennials many times on this blog. We even recorded a podcast about it.
If you are willing to use some humility and listen to them, you can work with Gen Y. Check out the links for more.
But you have a new challenge ahead of you.
Channel Z
Here’s the reality: You need to get your head wrapped around employing and engaging Generation Z.
We’ve talked about Z here before too.
As a Sunday school teacher to high schoolers for 15 or so years, I can tell you they are quite different from Y. They are thriftier, more practical, more money-driven.
That’s a blessing and a curse:
A new study spawned some headlines that breathed a sigh of generation-angst relief: Unlike the previous generation, Gen Z just might want traditional careers after all.
Except, they don’t think of them as careers.
Check out the short article, but here’s the money quote:
The most popular careers among young people are those with high-income potential. … They see that as the best way to achieve personal fulfillment and happiness. … They don’t see their career path as an end in itself, but rather the means to an end.
I am not so sure the study has it exactly right.
What is a business?
“Business person” was their most popular career aspiration, with “artist” as fourth.
But I suspect most in Gen Z do not see “influencer” as an artist. They are more practical than that. They know that an influencer does what an influencer needs to do to keep influence and therefore income.
In other words, they understand that creating content for YouTube, etc. is a business.
And they have a point.
I see very little difference between entrepreneurs and artists. Both must have vision. Both are creators.
If Gen Z sees this … can we play the hand we are dealt?
Spend time thinking about the Gen Z individuals in your life. How could you harness their drive for personal fulfillment and their understanding of how creativity and business are tightly linked?
I’m not suggesting that you need all of your Gen Z employees to start posting YouTubes and TikToks about your business.
I am suggesting you go talk to them and start a dialogue about what they see as opportunities for your firm.
This is your chance to go beyond the employee survey. Dialogue, as we often point out here, is absolutely critical.