Gen Z Colleagues Might Find You Irksome—Most Likely—Due to These 4 Factors
Gen Z colleagues might be bugging you out, and if you're an experienced employee, it's probably the other way around too. A communication gap exists in the workplace between generations, particularly when it comes to feedback and work structures. Gen Z's desire for immediate feedback and flexible work environments often clashes with traditional practices.
Research suggests Gen Zers are bringing a "brat" culture—a different mindset to the workplace—which challenges stereotypes associated with their generation and aligns with their values in both career and learning journeys. While they mock corporate slang on TikTok, they bring their own jargon to work. To understand their younger colleagues, Boomers and Gen X are googling "Gen Z dictionary," with searches of "Gen Z terms of endearment" up +55% this month alone.
To communicate with Gen Z without sounding fake, established teams should:
- Ditch the Buzzwords: Skip corporate jargon such as 'synergy' and 'ducks in a row.' Use straightforward language instead. Tackling tasks with phrases like 'let's chat' and 'table this' feels more authentic and removes unnecessary barriers.
- Show Your Human Side: Acknowledge the person behind the screen by using conversational language and personal touches. Instead of 'your output meets expectations,' try 'great job on that report!' or 'hope you're having a productive week.'
- Stay Genuine: Avoid trying to mimic Gen Z's style too closely. Respect their preferences without overcompensating. Use appropriate language, ask questions when unsure, and build connections through genuine engagement.
- Value Their Input: Let Gen Z contribute to the decision-making process. Involve them in discussions and ask for their perspective. Set clear goals, empower them with autonomy, and provide constructive feedback. Acknowledge their efforts to build trust and foster a supportive workplace.
Gen Z is often stereotyped as lazy, unmotivated, or unreliable, but their values and career needs are often misunderstood. To redress this, employers can work towards accommodating their preferences and reducing annoyance with traditional communication styles by implementing company-wide chat platforms, embracing informal language, fostering a culture of transparency and speed, promoting independence, enhancing technology integration, engaging in inter-generational collaboration, providing regular compliance training, and adapting to formality levels.
In the context of fostering better communication between generations in the workplace, demonstrating leadership that values Gen Z's input is crucial. This could involve actively inviting their ideas during team meetings, saying, "Your perspective is valuable in our decision-making process." Furthermore, acknowledging the intersection of Gen Z's careers and their desire for leadership roles, you might encourage them by stating, "Your career development is important to us, and we look forward to seeing your leadership skills grow within our team."
