My Rendevous with the Gen Z

I don't know how to define this. But, it can be either unforeseeable circumstances, fate, or just plain luck that in the last few months, a high percentage of the people I had deep-level conversations with are Generation Z. 

I have been pleasantly surprised and somewhat jealous to see the amount of information the GenZ has compared to what we did. Furthermore, I don't have an inch of shame to accept that this entire generation is smarter, better informed, presentable, and more focused than us.   

The bigger plan is to do a series of articles based on my understanding of how GenZ thinks so that it can help my colleagues who are in the role of mentors and the young ones who are just starting their careers. However, for this post, I am summarizing a few points based on the hours of interactions. 

The 60-second knowledge: 

While the GenZ knows everything about everything, their information is limited only to the headlines as the only source of information is TikTok or reels, which summarize everything under 60 seconds. While these social media platforms are a great starting point, it gives selective knowledge, which is harmful. 

What should the mentors do? As a starting point, don't be dismissive and give a lecture on attention span. Instead, guide them towards more in-depth studies. You'll be surprised to see how quickly they get hold of everything. 

Generation AI:  

The age of AI is upon us, and more than us millennials, Generation Z is worried. Visualize the time right after Mr. Oppenhimer helped drop the bomb. The world was going through a period of unlimited potential for that generation and unlimited uncertainty for the next. Today, we are at the same fork in the road, and Gen Z decides where to lead us all. 

What should the mentors do? Don't judge your mentee if they use AI to create something. Remember, we humans judge AI doesn't. If I had access to a powerful tool like chat GPT in my 20s I would have used that shamelessly. Instead, show them the fences and guide them to the basics. 

Spoiled for choices: 

While the millennials were choosing careers through the roll of a dice (six career options), Generation Z is, unfortunately, shuffling through a pack of cards. Everyone is overloaded with information (refer to point 1), and every career choice promises glory. We millennials had it way easier. We were choosing to become engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, or a rare few graphic designers (like me). But those days are long gone. Gen Z has way more career options to pick from.  

What should the mentors do? I always take them to the lines from Led Zeppelin "Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, There's still time to change the road you're on." 

Uncertainty looms: 

I was born in the 80s, which means the last big war was almost 40 years old, and people have healed. That was the age when people were building great things, reaching for the moon, and making technological advancements (partially because of the Cold War). However, almost every region has seen its fair share of geopolitical uncertainties in the last decade. In addition to that, there have been financial collapses, a pandemic, the return of dictatorships, and overall environmental crises. 

Also, no Beatles to sing 'Imagine' and make us feel better! Now, imagine being in your 20s in all of this.  

What should the mentors do? Unfortunately, this is the world the millennials and baby boomers have given to them. The responsibility lies on us to make the workplace better at least. Go easy on Gen Z. The millennials were the bridge between the baby boomers and the GenZ, and it's our responsibility to bridge the next phase too!

Final thoughts:  Do I see hope? Of course, I do. The next generation of the workforce has unparalleled energy, they are free thinkers, and they're rebellious at heart. I believe this generation will fight poverty instead of fighting the poor (you know what I mean) and they will make sure that this revolution will be televised. 

I finish this article with these lines from Billy Joel:

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You better cool it off before you burn it out

You got so much to do and only

So many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want

Or you can just get old

You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through 

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?