Creating space for Gen Z to ‘ask everything’ will strengthen your team
From CommPRO:
As the President of Haymaker Group, Dave Heinzinger's article is an essential read for communicators, especially those in management positions, navigating the nuances of intergenerational workplace dynamics. Heinzinger delves into the evolving expectations of feedback and professional growth within the workforce, particularly highlighting the shift from the Millennial to the Gen Z mindset. His insights on fostering a feedback-driven culture resonate with the current demand for transparency, growth trajectory discussions, and real-time performance understanding. This shift not only challenges but also enriches the communication landscape, urging managers to adopt new strategies for engagement and professional development.
Moreover, Heinzinger emphasizes the critical need for nurturing soft skills among Gen Z employees, addressing the digital-native generation's unique challenges in traditional workplace etiquette and interpersonal communication. By advocating for environments that encourage questioning, empathy, and practical engagement in networking and client interactions, he outlines a blueprint for developing well-rounded professionals adept in both digital and in-person scenarios. His innovative approach to "unboxing creativity" through asynchronous communication platforms like Slack further underscores the necessity of adapting to new work dynamics. Reading this article equips communicators with actionable strategies to lead diverse teams effectively, ensuring their readiness for the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
When I began my career as an account coordinator in 2007, my mindset was simple: hit my deadlines, be creative, listen, and do solid work. If I wasn’t getting a ton of feedback, that was fine, because I wasn’t getting any negative feedback, and that meant I was doing my job well.
That sort of dynamic is completely unacceptable for today’s young professionals. The reality is that the standards around feedback have shifted dramatically, and the concept of “keeping your head down” is frustratingly outdated for a generation that thrives on knowing exactly where they stand at all times. Whereas no feedback was a good thing to me, for Gen Z, silence is the equivalent of negativity.
