Posted by Everyone talks about Gen Z at work now, how to attract them, develop them, keep them engaged. Fair enough. But I feel like we’re missing something.
We spend so much energy preparing the ‘future generation’, yet we forget that today’s organizations are still run by Gen X and Millennials. They are the ones making decisions, handling pressure, and dealing with all the complexity happening right now. And honestly, many of them are expected to just figure things out without much support to adapt. At the same time, the gap in working style is becoming more obvious. Gen Z is encouraged to speak up, ask for opportunities, even say “no” to tasks that don’t fit. Meanwhile, many Gen X and Millennials grew up in a culture where you don’t question assignments, you just take it and deliver, even if it’s difficult. No complaints, just execution.
Again, neither is right or wrong. But it is different. And that difference matters. Because what motivates Gen Z will not automatically work for people who have been operating very differently for 15–20 years. If anything, many senior leaders today need to unlearn and relearn, how to communicate, how to lead, how to deal with a new type of team.
So maybe it’s time to rebalance the conversation.
Developing Gen Z is about the future.
Developing Gen X and Millennials is about making sure the present doesn’t break.
Strong organizations don’t depend on one generation. They depend on how well all generations actually work and grow together.
My World in My Words 