Last week’s post about Gen Z generated a lot of traffic and follow up content (see Gen Z Just Graduated from College Infographic). As a result, I have developed an unplanned Part II as today’s post. The following content has been gleaned from a study by Universum of 55,000 high school students and recent high school graduates in 46 countries.
Ten Facts
- Gen Z’s will eventually total 60 million people.
- In a single day, Gen Z’s will often multi-task across a handful of screens, expecting “seamless integration.
- Due to their immersion in technology since birth, Gen Z workers may (ironically) be more focused and directed when it comes to technology than previous generations.
- Expect Gen Z to be more realistic about career opportunities, yet more idealistic about their employers’ social profiles.
- Gen Z’s will demand a diverse set of digital tools, both offered by the company and publicly accessible.
- With Generation Z there is less social media about oneself and more about the community (Colleen Broomall).
- Gen Z’s appear more savvy than Millennials regarding technology and work process.
- Fully 77% of Gen Z’s indicate they expect to work harder than previous (Robert Half).
- About 53%of Gen Z workers would rather communicate face-to-face than through instant message or videoconference.
- More than half of them want to start their own company. This entrepreneurial spirit exceeds that of Millennials
Five Organizational Implications
- Entrepreneurism is in their DNA, and workplace dynamics must support that independent streak.
- This generation’s is comfortable with physical mobility and mobile tools. As a result, they will create office spaces or zones which offer a variety of ways to digitally work and interact — collaboratively, individually, and socially.
- They are seeking a work environment where there is a lot of open dialogue, the way Netflix is run, where it’s a team effort (Colleen Broomall).
- Gen Z’s value their reputation and personal brand. As a result, this generation will value privacy in the workplace and demand employers respond accordingly.
- IT departments that invest in self-teaching tools will profit. Gen Z is adept at learning how to use applications through watching YouTube-style training videos and studying self-paced online modules.
Jeff Suderman is a futurist, consultant, Gen X’er and professor who works in the field of organizational development. He partners with clients to improve culture, leadership, teamwork, organizational alignment, strategy and organizational future-readiness. He resides in Palm Desert, California. Twitter: @jlsuderman Email: jeff@jeffsuderman.com
Sources: BMC.
Image Credit: Eduventures