Generational diversity is another new word that I feel is suddenly becoming established. New generations in the workplace is nothing new. The newest generation enters the job market with a different view of the world than their predecessors. Where previously a new generation entered the job market with a different worldview, today's new generation also enters the market with very different skills and ways of communicating.
What can we learn from each other? How do we strengthen organizations in the future by combining all strengths?
Hajar herself belongs to Generation Z, is committed to youth participation in the workplace and boardrooms, with the goal of ensuring that the newest generation is equally represented and heard. As part of this mission, she was Youth Representative to the United Nations. GenZ was born between 1995 and 2010.
Excel
What does Gen Z really excel at? "Lots of things," jokes Hajar. But if she has to choose one, transparency tops the list. "That means sharing what's going well, but also sharing what's not going so well. Whether that's in your personal life or whether that's about the company you work for, that's something really important for this generation."
Gen Z was born between 1995 and 2010. This is true for a reason. The year 1995 was deliberately chosen because it was the year the Internet became mainstream. This generation grew up with a constant flow of information from the Internet. "Gen Z doesn't know a time without it. Of course, that's also something with social media where you expose and show a lot to the world."
Mental health
Let's put first that everyone within each generation is different. Not every person within a generation is and thinks the same. But what you can see, according to Hajar, is that the zeitgeist in which generations grow up does affect how certain situations are viewed. "With Gen Z, it's super unique that they've always had the Internet. They've been exposed to everything around the world. I hear about famine, war, floods, tsunamis. This is a generation that at a young age is extremely aware of the world around them. Psychologists see two consequences of this. On the one hand, Gen Z is very empathetic, but at the same time they have a lot of mental issues, because it's a lot to bear. So if you look at the workplace there is a big demand for attention to mental health."
Listen now to the latest episode of the Work Professor podcast and find out what different generations can learn from each other and how you can harness these strengths for your business in the future!
Links
More about Hajar Yagkoubi
Articles on Gen Z:
More about the Working Professor
Do you have questions or input? Please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com.
Curious about the next guest in the Werkprofessor or want to be the first to hear the teaser of the next episode? Follow the Werkprofessor on https://www.linkedin.com/company/viepeople/.
A strong employer brand is a magnet for top talent, but how do you build that brand?
Why is it that one company fills vacancies in no time, while another has to pull every applicant who is slightly interested?
Thanks
Thanks for your interest, you can download your white paper here.
.png)