Blog: Managing Gen-Z: Skills and Strategies

This blog is inspired by content from a Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn Presented by Ohio Valley Bank and hosted by the Marshall University Recreation Center. The topic of the session was Managing Gen Z: Skills and Strategies. Marshall Rec employees Lindsey Peterson, Assistant Director of Facility Operations, and Vincent Murphy, Coordinator of Aquatics and Safety, were the presenters and work with approximately 200 Gen Z employees in their roles.

Who is Gen Z?

Generation Z, broadly defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, is now entering the workforce. This generation grew up in a world of rapid technological change, global connectivity, and economic disruption. They witnessed the impacts of the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic during their formative years, shaping their attitudes and expectations towards work.

Gen Z Values and Strengths

Generation Z employees, while often characterized as inexperienced and lazy, are innovative thinkers who want to make an impact. They value face to face interactions that allow them to collaborate. Like generations before them, they want stable jobs, a clear career path, and a manager that can guide them. What differentiates them from other generations is their hunger for personal development. If you can offer that to them, they will be more likely to stick with you.

Generation Z employees tend to value work-life balance, engagement, honesty, integrity, and relationships. Growing up as digital natives and living through the COVID-19 pandemic when they were in high school or college has given them many strengths including but not limited to being adaptable, resourceful, open-minded, entrepreneurial, resilient, and socially aware.

Tips for Managing Gen Z

1. Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance

- Help them adjust to the workforce: Gen Z employees, being new to the workforce, might find the transition challenging. Providing mentorship and clear guidelines can help them acclimatize to professional environments. Regular feedback and supportive communication are key to helping them build confidence and understand workplace expectations.
- Encourage a healthy work-life balance: For Gen Z, a healthy work-life balance is often a top priority. Encouraging them to take regular breaks and respect their off-hours can boost their productivity and job satisfaction. Promoting a culture where personal time and mental health are valued can help in reducing burnout and fostering long-term loyalty.
- Offer flexibility in work arrangements and schedules: Gen Z values flexibility, often more than previous generations. Offering options like remote work, flexible hours, or compressed work weeks can appeal to their desire for a personalized work experience. This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved performance, as it allows them to work in ways that best suit their lifestyle and productivity rhythms.
- Help them find purpose in what they do: Gen Z workers are often driven by a sense of purpose and seek to make a meaningful impact through their work. Providing opportunities for them to engage in projects that align with their values or interests can increase their engagement and commitment. Clear communication about how their roles contribute to the company's goals and societal impact can also help in fulfilling their desire for purposeful work.

2. Encourage Growth and Development

- Offer opportunities for skill development and learning: Providing Gen Z employees with regular training sessions, workshops, or access to online courses can significantly boost their professional growth. These opportunities not only enhance their skill set but also demonstrate a commitment to their career advancement, which is highly valued by this generation.
- Recognize and celebrate achievements and milestones: Acknowledging the accomplishments of Gen Z employees, whether through formal awards or informal recognition in team meetings, fosters a sense of achievement and belonging. Celebrating their milestones, big or small, also helps in building their confidence and loyalty to the organization.
- Embrace technology and encourage creativity: Gen Z is highly adept with technology, and integrating the latest tech tools into the workplace can increase their engagement and productivity. Encouraging them to think creatively and innovatively, especially in leveraging new technologies, can lead to fresh ideas and solutions that benefit the entire organization.
- Show appreciation for their unique perspectives and contributions: Valuing the diverse viewpoints and ideas that Gen Z brings to the table creates an inclusive and dynamic work environment. Recognizing their unique contributions not only validates their role in the team but also encourages them to share more openly and collaborate effectively.

3. Embrace Transparency

Offer opportunities for skill development and learning: Providing Gen Z employees with regular training sessions, workshops, or access to online courses can significantly boost their professional growth. These opportunities not only enhance their skill set but also demonstrate a commitment to their career advancement, which is highly valued by this generation.
Recognize and celebrate achievements and milestones: Acknowledging the accomplishments of Gen Z employees, whether through formal awards or informal recognition in team meetings, fosters a sense of achievement and belonging. Celebrating their milestones, big or small, also helps in building their confidence and loyalty to the organization.
Embrace technology and encourage creativity: Gen Z is highly adept with technology, and integrating the latest tech tools into the workplace can increase their engagement and productivity. Encouraging them to think creatively and innovatively, especially in leveraging new technologies, can lead to fresh ideas and solutions that benefit the entire organization.
Show appreciation for their unique perspectives and contributions: Valuing the diverse viewpoints and ideas that Gen Z brings to the table creates an inclusive and dynamic work environment. Recognizing their unique contributions not only validates their role in the team but also encourages them to share more openly and collaborate effectively.

4. People Focused Leadership

1. Offer opportunities for skill development and learning: Providing Gen Z employees with regular training sessions, workshops, or access to online courses can significantly boost their professional growth. These opportunities not only enhance their skill set but also demonstrate a commitment to their career advancement, which is highly valued by this generation.
2. Recognize and celebrate achievements and milestones: Acknowledging the accomplishments of Gen Z employees, whether through formal awards or informal recognition in team meetings, fosters a sense of achievement and belonging. Celebrating their milestones, big or small, also helps in building their confidence and loyalty to the organization.
3. Embrace technology and encourage creativity: Gen Z is highly adept with technology, and integrating the latest tech tools into the workplace can increase their engagement and productivity. Encouraging them to think creatively and innovatively, especially in leveraging new technologies, can lead to fresh ideas and solutions that benefit the entire organization.
4. Show appreciation for their unique perspectives and contributions: Valuing the diverse viewpoints and ideas that Gen Z brings to the table creates an inclusive and dynamic work environment. Recognizing their unique contributions not only validates their role in the team but also encourages them to share more openly and collaborate effectively.

Gen Z has the potential to be an invaluable asset to any team. Taking the time to understand their needs, communicate effectively, and celebrate their unique contributions can lead to a thriving workplace environment. As employers, embracing these changes and understanding the unique qualities of Gen Z is essential for future success in an evolving professional landscape.