I've had the pleasure of meeting with many of our members over the last few months to have discussions about skills and expectations that are missing in the workforce - particularly from younger employees. I've heard a variety of responses; some see no major issues, and some see employees who struggle to make phone calls or have face to face conversations. Some are having trouble finding people who understand the importance of showing up on time and staying off phones during the day. A few are asking for remote flexibility in positions that explicitly say they're in-person.
 
I agree that these are critical skills for the workplace. You're not alone if you find yourself wondering why there seem to be so many inter-generational challenges in the workplace these days.
 
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take a class on generational differences. We dove into some of the historical events that shaped each generation and led to the good (and challenging) personality traits they typically have. It was FACINATING and it connected so many dots on generational stereotypes you typically hear. This article highlights some of this information if you're curious (though I would note the years are slightly off what you typically see).
 
When people talk about the challenges Gen Z have in the workplace, I am usually not surprised. Of course, some struggle with face-to-face conversations and prefer email or instant messages. While us older generation grew up with a computer room, their computers are on them 24/7 - even in the classroom. They're texting their friends to make plans, not calling on the land line and talking to their friends’ parents first like we had to. They want flexibility because they watched their parents work from home during COVID so they know it can be done but they haven’t experienced the value of being in an office with coworkers.
 
In the societal discourse of work and the next generation, you continually hear that "kids need to be taught these skills". But how often do see people stepping up to help them learn? We have and continue to raise the next generation as technology dependent because that is the reality of the world we live in. Are we helping them practice these skills employers are asking for? Are we opening our businesses and working with schools to help students understand expectations of the workplace? Are we approaching these challenges with an open mind geared towards teaching and learning?
 
Let's be honest, so many of these challenges are creeping up the generations too. How many Baby Boomers do you see scrolling social media during the day? How many Gen X & Millennials are asking for more flexible working locations? The world is always shifting and it's our responsibility to shift with it.
 
I ask you to consider what your company is asking of the next generation. What ways are you helping ensure they're ready to enter your business? How are you building teams that work together and not against each other? If you’ve built a really great system, I’d love to hear more about it.