Ducks in a Row: Say Hello To Generation Z
by Miki Saxon
Companies and bosses have struggled over the last decade or so learning how to attract, manage and retain millennial workers.
Long before that they had to learn to manage Boomers — the original me generation.
This is a generation, after all, that thinks of itself as “forever young,” even as some near 70. Most of all, what came across onscreen as well as in Greenfield-Sanders’ portraits was an unapologetic affirmation of the essential Boomer mantra—yes, it is still all about ME.
Then came Gen X, the supposed slackers who are now running things.
For a small, and supposedly lost, generation, Gen X’ers have found their way to positions of power. (…)Gen X’ers, incidentally, are among the most highly educated generation in the U.S.: 35% have college degrees vs. 19% of Millennials.
We all know that everything moves faster these days — whether products, attitudes — or generations.
So, without more ado, meet Generation Z, which encompasses those born between 1995 and the early 2000s.
They present a new challenge to bosses, especially since they bear little resemblance to Millennials.
The question for most bosses and bosses-to-be is this: having finally wrapped their heads around Millennial dos and don’ts is it worth the effort to add Gen Z to the repertoire?
Unequivocally yes.
Actually, you don’t have much choice, since there are 79 million (and counting) of them.
Image credit: Kathryn Yengel
