Gen Z in the House: Tips to Engage Them While Not Alienating Others
The Gen Z workforce has made a spirited entrance in our organizations, and Gen Zs are not shy about their expectations! The self-advocacy nature of these early career professionals can sometimes ruffle the feathers of senior leaders. And as we strive to meet Gen Z's needs, we risk causing our more tenured employees to question their relevance at work. It's a potential recipe for workplace discord.
In our recent Inclusive Leaders Roundtable discussion, we dove into the joy and pain of keeping Gen Z new hires engaged while managing generational diversity at work. The stories we shared might sound familiar:
- Gen Z employees complaining about Zoom fatigue, while senior leaders wonder why they're not grateful for the opportunity to work from home.
- Gen Z employees neglecting to confirm email receipt, leaving more experienced colleagues pondering why a simple acknowledgment isn't the standard practice.
- Gen Z's openness about their personal lives as a way to connect making older employees uncomfortable due to what they perceive as oversharing.
Many of these misunderstandings stem from differing expectations about how to show up at work. The solution? Establish a shared understanding of workplace etiquette and respect in the workplace across generations. Here are some conversation starters to bridge generational gaps:
- How do you define respect in the workplace and why is it important?
- Can you provide examples of respectful interactions or gestures that you believe contribute to a positive work environment?
- What are some behaviors or actions that, in your opinion, are disrespectful that should be avoided?
- Are there any specific aspects of our workplace etiquette that you think need improvement or clarification? What suggestions do you have to enhance our workplace interactions?
- What are your expectations regarding communication, both in terms of tone and frequency, when it comes to emails, meetings, and interpersonal interactions with colleagues and leaders?
- How should we address conflicts or disagreements between team members to ensure that our workplace remains a respectful and supportive environment for everyone?
- What can each of us do as individuals to contribute to a more supportive and respectful workplace environment?
These questions can provide a launchpad for a lively and constructive discussion. One thing all generations have in common is the desire to be heard and contribute. So engaging all employees across generations at work to inform how to work better together can boost a sense of belonging and you are sure to emerge with some tangible ideas to foster a more harmonious and inclusive workplace.
At the end of the day, both young and seasoned employees have much to offer each other. Fresh perspectives and ideas, coupled with hard-earned skills and experience, can create a productive, supportive, and cohesive workplace culture. Let's embrace the generational diversity and make it our strength.
To initiate a conversation about how the team at Ridley Consulting Group can assist in bridging the generation gap and harnessing generational diversity as an asset within your organization, please click here to schedule an exploratory call.
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