November 13, 2023

I remember the first time I attended a public media conference. As a timid, un-seasoned, yet ambitious Gen-Zer in a room full of individuals who could probably remember the trending hairstyle in the late eighties, I felt disconnected yet interconnected at the same time. Before the conference began, I took a moment to review the list of attendees because it was so short and intimate. Looking at the names, titles, and years in the industry was inspiring, yet a little alarming. After the first conference day’s keynote session, we were told to split up into groups to workshop a scenario the presenter had given us. Ironically, the topic revolved around Generation Z and how our industry could engage with them through programming and local initiatives. As everyone in my group took turns offering their thoughts and recommendations, I began to realize that one of the major concerns was within the very establishment we were in. There was so much talk about this generation and how to implement various strategies and tactics with them, but lo and behold…only one Gen-Zer at the conference; me! When I opened my mouth to offer insight and announced that I was a representative of that demographic, eyes began to stretch, and the first words that I heard were, “We need more individuals like you; more of your generation to help us grow and build for the future of public media.” That statement was validation that professionals in the industry are welcoming to the perspectives and experiences of this generation. From that moment on, I knew that the work for the visibility and equity of Generation Z was just beginning.

The war for talent is underway, but the public media industry is often overlooked by young professionals as a starting point for skill development. Is public media truly ready to be a stepping stone for emerging talent? What’s required to harness the potential of Gen Z – the fastest-growing generation in the workforce?

The Perspective

According to research conducted by the company Zurich, Gen-Z currently makes up 30 percent of the world’s population and is expected to account for 27 percent of the workforce by 2025. This could compound the changes to work as we know it, as employers seek to attract and retain the next generation of talent. Though this statistic is the foundation of this growing demographic, there have been negative feelings associated with hiring and retaining them. The head of an HR department told ResumeBuilder in an article for the New York Post, “In our organization, the Gen Zs I have interacted with can be exhausting because they lack discipline and like to challenge you. They think they’re better than you, smarter than you, more capable than you and they will tell you to your face.” On the other hand, Adam Garfield, marketing director at HairBro stated, “Compared to other generations, I find Gen Z to be highly innovative, and adaptable.”

Gen Z is intelligent and kind, a little overworked and burned out, but definitely not lazy! It’s kind of like buying a new car and driving it from South Carolina to California multiple times in the same month. After a certain point, the car loses its value and appeal, right? This is the same with Gen-Zers. While it is important to hire and retain them, we must also remember not to abuse their talents; especially individuals who have been unfortunately “overdriven” at a young age. In a 2023 Deloitte survey, nearly half of Gen-Zers and four in 10 millennials said they feel stressed all or most of the time. If you put things into perspective, this demographic started their career amid a global pandemic, unsettling governmental circumstances, and the pay inequity that still plagues organizational structures. Studies have shown that this feeling of exhaustion can be defined as an early life crisis. “It happens when someone in their mid-20s to early 30s begins to question the quality and direction of their life. Common traits include sadness, feeling unfulfilled, and anxiety,” according to an article from NPR by Destinee Adams. In turn, this emotion may be perceived as ‘laziness or entitlement’ by an individual of an older generation. However, Generation Z wants to be recognized for their talents and utilized in important decision-making processes, but not add unnecessary issues from the workplace to their overexerted life.

Gen Z is willing to work hard for the right employer. They want to feed their passion and find fulfillment in what they do without hearing the story about “paying their dues” or “waiting in line.”

If you haven’t realized by now, I’m SUPER passionate about the equity and visibility of Generation Z. This passion not only stems from my inclusion in the demographic but also because the question of whether or not we’ll work as hard as our older counterparts in an organization isn’t a fair measure of our assets and abilities. I read an article with the title, “Hustle culture isn’t dead, it just got a Gen Z rebrand,” and I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment! As we entered the workforce, we became more cautious around work and money, but also open to different avenues for career elevation. The idea of a career ladder is slowly drifting away. According to Martha Bird, a business anthropologist at ADP in an article from CNBC, Following a straightforward, upward trajectory is no longer a realistic, or ideal, framing of success. Instead, young workers are prepared to move laterally, up, down, and around, “with a common theme of a sense of purposefulness at the center of it all.” 

Gen Z also has different motivations and priorities. Most of us work to live, rather than live to work. I mentioned in a staff training one day that I try not to take work home with me. Setting that boundary was hard for me until I realized that I don’t have to wear myself thin to make an impact. If it isn’t super important, it can wait until the next day. This decision has been imperative to my development! Realistically, every organization or role will carry some degree of stress. The key is to characterize how much pressure your body and psyche can deal with steadily, without bringing about weariness or overwhelm. This is particularly vital to recognize in a culture where managers in some cases make age-based assumptions, that because an employee is young, they can stay at work past 40 hours or be brought in at the last minute, as if they don’t have other obligations. These exceptions infringe on personal commitments and overstep the boundaries Gen-Zers have in place to mitigate burnout. 

Setting a healthy boundary for a Gen-Zer can look like advocating when they feel overwhelmed by a deadline. Managers can support this boundary by providing alternative suggestion(s), or even reexamining whether the deadline and scope are concrete, or are they a reflection of a culture of overwork?

The rise of Gen-Zers in this industry can only be successful if there is intentionality and perseverance. If your organization has hired Gen-Zers, what has been your experience working with this demographic? Starting this conversation in training with leadership or within a division is key to beginning the building of a strong foundation. There’s so much that has been said and will likely be said about Generation Z, but the criticisms of organizations placed on this generation only exist within spaces that don’t work to rectify those behaviors.

The Solutions

  • BE INTENTIONAL!
    Intention comes in various forms and without it, you’re most likely to lose Gen Z employees instead of attracting them. As I mentioned in my introduction, one of the concerns I had was the fact that no other members of Gen Z were present at the conference. Organizations must be intentional about seeking these employees, building partnerships in your community, at colleges and universities, and allowing this demographic to see your organizations as places to grow and thrive.

     

  • ALLOW SPACE FOR CREATIVITY!
    Creative thinking + creative implementation = Successful organizations! Don’t micromanage Gen Zers. Put a little trust in them to get the job done and to do it well. LinkedIn reported that 79% of employees have been micromanaged at least once in their careers. The act of micromanagement spans beyond this generation and affects older colleagues as well. Managers who practice this form of leadership have perpetuated the cycle of micromanaging as the primary way to lead others and this ultimately trickles down to their team. Personally speaking, one of the worst feelings is being assigned a task and having it stripped away or excessively managed because your supervisor doesn’t trust you the way they initially stated they did. Like, dang? It’s like that?! One of the more important things to remember when it comes to an employee expressing creativity (irrespective of generations) is the space a manager gives them to GROW. Think about it…every organizational leader has failed at least once. No employee was hired knowing everything they needed to know about the role, so it’s imperative to let them see what they’re capable of achieving. This gives them the training that they need to advance. Generation Z is filled with trendsetters, game-changers, and so much more! Let them be that for your organization, I implore you!

     

  • BE AN ADVOCATE!
    Yes, you’ve recruited this individual to start their career. However, asking a Gen Z employee, “How can I support you?” is IMPORTANT! Gen Z is ready and looking to learn, and they’re doing so in service of their career ambitions. More than half of Gen-Zers (55%) feel like they’ve missed out on an important part of adulthood because of how the pandemic affected office culture, according to the Harris Poll. This means that they need someone to help guide them as well as advocate for and with them. Their vision may not always seem clear to you, but it makes sense to them, and helping them implement it could save your organization in the long run.

     

    An article from Forbes gives an amazing example of what this support looks like across generational lines. ‘Keep it simple. Ask them what support means to them. If someone were showing support, what would they be doing and saying? How are they showing up? That allows the manager to reflect and assess their actions. Where are they aligned or disconnected? Which behaviors would best show support? Each person is motivated and supported in different ways. Just ask them what right looks and feels like,’ stated Shelley Smith of Premier Rapport.”

     

  • CREATE POSITIONS THAT SERVE A PURPOSE!
    Each role in an organization is vital, but Gen-Zers work effectively when they are hired for a role that aligns with their talents and beliefs. If you don’t know their potential, take a moment to speak with them and find out what drives their passion. For example, my professional passions include public media access for under-represented communities, four-day work weeks, and, of course, equity and visibility for Gen Z employees. I’ve intentionally created opportunities to enhance those areas that benefit my personal growth and that of my organization.

  • The fifth bullet is a rule that needs to be implemented across the board, not just with Gen Z.

    THAT IS: TO LISTEN!
    A report shows that companies that are willing to listen have an invaluable opportunity to bring in diverse viewpoints and build a talent pipeline to sustain their growth for years to come.

     

  • Lastly, I like to use the term, “RIDE THE WAVE!”
    Think of your organization as the ocean, your leaders as surfers, and the employees as floatation devices. You have this large body of water that encompasses a million things, but as a leader, your goal is to not drown. Leaders rely on their flotation devices to assist them and are tasked with protecting their devices (employees) from anything that could potentially harm them (i.e., unsafe work environments, faulty leadership, etc.). Adapt your work environment to meet the needs of this growing workforce. They’re not there to work like robots but to also have fun and leave an impact. A wave of chuckles and the latest workplace couture is a sign that there is life within your four walls; embrace it!

This work can be summarized by a quote from “The Gen Z Frequency: How Brands Tune In and Build Credibility” by Gregg L. Witt:

“Youth culture is constantly evolving, and Gen Z in particular is disrupting industries. Gen Z represents an unprecedented group of innovation and entrepreneurship. This group is focused on niche interests and if brands (organizations) don’t recognize this now and get on board, they are going to be left behind.”

Hiring a member of Generation Z may not be the solution to all the problems stations and organizations will face, but it certainly legitimizes and ensures the longevity of an industry that is already threatened by obsolescence.