Gen Z is the hot topic. Gen Z is the hit topic

Bashing Gen Z is the favourite pass time in companies and in conversations these days. They fascinate and they exasperate. The earlier generations are quite uncomplimentary about them: Yes Gen Z is in a hurry. Yes they want things Instantly. Yes they lack direction.

Sure, there is a bit of truth in that. But there is also quite a bit of falsehood too.

Gen Z has so much to offer; they are more socially aware, more vocal about values. And yes, you cannot wish them away. And, they are not going anywhere. In fact they are going to become a majority that that is growing in numbers and voice.

Similarly Gen Z cannot dismiss the “oldies” and hope that they will become redundant soon. These oldies are spread in three generations and are an upclose and present reality.

These two generations are unable to connect and communicate both at home and in the office. Can something be done to make them work with each other, rather than against each other? Yes.

1. The first thing that needs to be done is to accept that they are both integral parts of the whole that makes work and life grow. The paradigm shift that is required is to do what Stephen Covey suggests that “ Strength lies in differences and not in similarities”.
2. The second step is to focus on the strengths rather than weaknesses of each other. Gen Z is smart. Gen Z is informed. Gen Z is innovative. The “oldies” are experienced. They are Emotionally more stable. They have wisdom.
3. To create a mindset shift think about how different we are with our children than our parents were with us. We ask rather than tell them. We include them in many more activities and decisions than our parents did. Use the same methodology with Gen Z in offices. Get them involved in the bigger picture. Gen Z on the other hand can start respecting that there is no short cut to experience. There is no short cut to leadership. There is not short cut to life.

This needs the academia to get their teachers to change their methodology. This needs the corporates to do focused training of both Gen Z and the “oldies”. This needs companies to have mentoring and reverse mentoring sessions where Gen Z mentor oldies too to make them understand and learn each other’s language and emotions.

Just imagine the possibilities when the energy and innovativeness of Gen Z is blended with the wisdom and experience of seasoned professionals. This will kick start leveraging each other’s strengths circle. That  then will create real synergy. That then is the real game-changer.

Let’s stop  complaining. Let’s start the collaborating.