Is it difficult to integrate with Gen Z? Expand your knowledge and gain more energy

Gen Z, a generation that is considered talented, dynamic and completely capable of cooperating and working well together - Photo: Q.DINH

More importantly, I realized that I needed to update and change. Because when I returned to school after a period of working, as the oldest person in the class, the age difference and generation gap made me confused.

I am worried that not many Gen Zers know how to fold their arms and bow to greet adults. They are reluctant to say “yes” or “no” and are ready to argue with and “talk back” to elders and even teachers if they think they are right. They do not hesitate to show their attitude or do their own thing in class if the lecture is not engaging or the subject is too difficult.

TRUONG QUOC PHONG

Gen Z taught me

My friends elected me as class monitor. It was fun but quite stressful and pressured because Gen Z students have a different way of thinking and learning than our generation before. They are tech-savvy, good at calculating, especially solving math problems on computers, just clicking away to find the answers. Meanwhile, I still have to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division the old way, doing it sequentially according to the steps of the formula, which is extremely disadvantageous when taking multiple-choice tests.

Some people even teased me for being old-fashioned, which made me a bit offended, but over time, I realized that they were right. I tried to get used to solving math problems on the computer, and immediately they showed me enthusiastically. I realized that the ego, not listening, not updating knowledge and technology from Gen Z friends almost made me fall behind.

Studying with my friends, I learned many smart ways to study. Instead of writing a lot in notebooks, my friends just listened and took notes, some of them recorded the teacher's lectures.

Important parts, you cleverly use your phone to take pictures of the information. At the end of the class, just share it in the class group so that anyone who needs to save it can use it.

After 10 years of studying with Gen Z through several different schools, I learned to be patient, less picky, and not always demand neatness.

Maybe this age is hasty, the result is more important than the process but that is not necessarily bad. Each of you has a way of learning, handling related problems relatively flexible, more updated with the support of technology without being sluggish, always relying on experience sometimes to the point of being conservative like me.

However, I don’t know if it’s because Gen Z is the generation that uses information technology and communicates in foreign languages ​​a lot, but many of them write with incorrect spelling and grammar. They freely use slang or slip in foreign languages ​​in their presentations. Sometimes they even form groups to badmouth or mock their teachers even when they are wrong. This is clearly not recommended!

Be sharp and dare to step out of your comfort zone.

During those 10 years of going back to school after working, I worked part-time at companies or participated in projects that gathered many Gen Z friends. The advertising and media work environment helped me meet many personalities, but what I liked most was the reckless dedication, daring to do, daring to take responsibility and creativity of people of this age.

They are not afraid to innovate, to propose ideas that can be said to be brilliant, which people of our generation, because of safety, do not dare to experiment or break through. In addition to the advantage of technology and language, when looking for any updated documents, new ideas, you contribute very quickly and "float" beyond expectations, even extremely creative ideas that satisfy partners and are approved.

It is difficult to force Gen Z to work 8 hours a day in the traditional style of a diligent office worker. They often come to the company late, and can only work well after 9 pm because many of them stay up very late at night with their own hobbies. So, if you want Gen Z to cooperate and work happily, although it is not everything, you should not impose your generation's views or lifestyle on Gen Z.

It is a fact that young people of Gen Z are willing to quit their jobs if they feel that things are not really comfortable and unhappy from their perspective. It can also be temporarily explained that Gen Z was born in a period of economic development, joking but quite true when they have parents who are willing to "sacrifice their father's life to strengthen their children's life". If they are not satisfied with their job, they are ready to "turn on" their boss, almost always in the mindset of changing their working environment, even choosing to become a freelancer to be free the way they want.

It is important to be very psychological.

I think working with Gen Z is not difficult. The important thing is to be very thoughtful to know what they really need and want. Especially pay attention to Gen Z's confident personality, desire to express and affirm their position and ability to make timely adjustments and support to help them develop.

Of course, do not indulge in the bad habits of Gen Z like the habit of partying all night long at bars and pubs that destroys health and body, especially never compromise or accept the evils of using stimulants and drugs among young people.

Understand to love more

I work in the film industry so I often come into contact with Gen Z. I often think of the stage of puberty, which many psychologists call the rebellious age, when I think of Gen Z. Because these kids are also "rebellious" in many different ways.

I remember a film project when my crew and I went into the forest to shoot. There was a Gen Z actress, a recent graduate and had a few roles. While filming, she kept failing to act out the character, but when the director reminded her, she immediately responded. While the director and crew were still surprised by this reaction, she continued to analyze the character and how to film and act appropriately...

Regardless of whether the Gen Z actress analyzed it right or wrong, it is understandable that many people do not like her with such an attitude. Until now, I have rarely seen her in any other projects and I am not sure if she is still working!

I know that Generation Z is mostly smart and quick-witted, but also very emotionally unstable. They have a lot to learn from others, both good and bad. From my own experience, I know that Gen Z always crave to be listened to, especially afraid of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This, combined with their young age, limited communication and interaction with the majority, Gen Z often values ​​their own ego, so they will still stumble.

For me, I think it requires understanding from both sides. Holding back your emotions a little when working with Gen Z will make you more receptive and likable every day. On the contrary, they themselves understand that in the current situation, intelligence and personal impression are not completely the top priorities for employers or anyone. Instead, it is the ability to work in a team and work efficiency.

No one says Gen Z is not smart, they are just tired of misplaced intelligence. So both sides need to be proactive and apply skills to understand and love each other more.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoa-dong-gen-z-co-kho-khong-mo-mang-hoc-hoi-tiep-them-nang-luong-20240406232555696.htm