Research about Gen Z -- also called Homelanders, iGen, Gen Edge and Globals -- is still emerging, but all indications are that they are sturdy, resourceful and willing to work. Consider this comparison chart.
Before you jump for joy, consider the questions below. Every generation has its strengths and its weaknesses, and Gen Z is no exception. What will Z attributes mean for your organization?
Questions to Consider
- If Edgers are more compliant, will they keep their heads down and just do their jobs without a sense of mission?
- If compliant, will they be indecisive and hesitate to take risks?
- If they communicate with images, will they communicate imprecisely?
- Will they neglect to push back and ask essential questions? (I know, I know, the Millennials could make you crazy with “why?” but we could miss that, I think, especially in fields like engineering or medicine where safety and innovation are critical.)
- If they are focused on the future, will Edger efforts lack urgency?
- Will flat organizations work for Edgers, or will they respond to top-down management?
We don’t know yet. Right now we can see they are a realistic bunch. Maybe that will be a terrific complement to optimistic Millennials. In a perfect world, hard-working Edgers will provide the steam to make Millennial dreams a reality.
It will be interesting!
Amy Lynch
Generational expert and keynote speaker, Amy Lynch helps the generations understand each other. She has spoken to 100s of groups from MTV and Comcast to Boeing, J&J and the staff of the U.S. Senate. Contact Amy about your next event.