Is your office ready for Gen Z?

Gen Z also known as Zoomers are composed of people born between 1996 and 2012. This means the older section of this demographic has already started entering the working world. They are comprised of an estimated 2.52 Billion young adults. They are known as digital natives who don’t remember life without a smartphone in hand, and their confidence and skill across social media platforms exceed those of older generations.

While it’s true that Gen Z-ers have plenty of digital and social insights to offer their future employers, they’re also a socially conscious generation that care about face-to-face interactions and creating communities.

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, company executive or even just a middle manager looking to better understand the next wave of employees, here are some simple ways you can prepare for the next generation of the working world.

Share and Care

A great way to engage and connect with this generation is to show them that you not only care about their future at your company, but that you also care about their growth as a human being. This is the ‘connected’ element that so many young people talk about when looking for a work environment that makes them feel fulfilled.

Of course, they want to do great work but they also want to make sure that the years they invest in their jobs are propelling them forward on their journey of self-development.

Let Them Own Their Work

It’s one thing to hire a young person and get them to follow orders. It’s another thing entirely to teach them how to think and problem-solve on their own. If you do, they can end up being more successful within your company in the long term.

The best way to this is to let young employees own their projects. Technology has greatly encouraged independent thinking, and today’s youth want to feel some sort of ownership.

Offer Feedback

If you aren’t providing regular feedback, you’re failing you new employees.

Navigating a brand-new role with little guidance can be frightening. Although Gen Z-ers don’t want to be micromanaged, they do crave open conversations. By setting up regular check-ins, you’ll help them feel more assured in their roles and convey to them that you care about their personal development.

Eliminate Distractions

This generation knows how to expertly toggle between screens and social media apps. However, this is not a habit you want to encourage. Instead make an effort to teach the value of single-tasking over multitasking.

This goes back to the value of taking an interest in a young person’s development. By helping instill positive habits and teaching the value of focused attention, you will not only help them improve as people, but will end up with far more productive employees.