The C-Suite NewsWire: April 2024

“My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future, not to make you like me.”

--Amy Chua

Meet the Anx-Z generation. Anx-Z’s (Gen Z + Anxious= Anx-Z) are a segment of Gen Z that were born in a seven-year period between 1998 – 2005. The oldest turned 14 in 2012– the first to be sucked into a torrent of addictive content on social media, which studies show profoundly rewires the brain. Literally, the part of the brain that is responsible for maintaining attention shrunk like a raisin. Anxiety, depression, visits to the ER, feelings of loneliness, and suicide all spiked with this generation. They would spend 6 hours on social media scrolling and trolling, being pressured to curate the perfect life, especially for girls. 

Social media was half the problem. The other half was overparenting that restricted free play. According to Jonathan Haidt’s new book, The Anxious Generation, “Physical outdoor play with other children of mixed ages is healthiest, most natural, and most beneficial play. Play with some degree of physical risk is essential because it teaches children how to look after themselves and each other. Children can only learn how not to get hurt in situations where it is possible to get hurt. Unfortunately adults usually can’t stop themselves from directing and protecting.” 

So Anx-Z’s experienced the perfect storm of too much protection on the playground IRL (In Real Life) and not enough in the vast sinister digital world. We really dropped the ball. 

The good news is that the problem has been identified and articulated. Zuck and the rest of the algorithm kings are the new enemy of the people, and parents are warming up to raising their kids “free-range”, much like they were when they were growing up. The tide is turning. The pressure to oust Tik-Tok is as much about the pernicious effects on its young users as it is national security. 

How Do You Manage Anx-Z’s at Work? 

It’s too late to manage Anx-Z’s with tough love. “Free-play” works for a 9 year old, but it too late for a young adult. However, there are 5 key things to know about managing this generation:

1. Tech-savvy. They gravitate and thrive in digital environments. Make sure your company is tech-forward with the latest software and communication tools.
2. Authenticity and Transparency. As awkward as their basic soft skills might be, they crave open and “emotionally  honest” dialogue. For AnxZ’s, their life is an open book and they expect everyone else to be as well.
3. Meaningful Work and Impact: The gravitate toward purpose-driven organizations and want to make a difference in the world, in their community, and with their friends. 
4. Flexibility and W-L Balance: They prioritize their health and personal life. Flexible work arrangements with remote options are a must. 
5. Embrace diversity and Inclusion: Demographically, Anx-Z’s are the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse generation that has ever worked in the workplace. Promoting cultural awareness and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives will go a long way for improving overall engagement. 

Every generation brings unique strengths to the workplace. For this generation, they have a keen understanding of social and emotional learning and can help create a culture of empathy and understanding that is lacking in so many workplaces today.  This is the generation that is going to make the playgrounds of the future.

Go. Play. Outside.

- Warren

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Gen Z is in the management space, and these young leaders prioritize mental health and work-life balance, introducing practices like “mindfulness Fridays” and "heart checks" to support their team. Having experienced the disruptions of the pandemic as they entered the workforce, Gen Z is reshaping workplace norms, emphasizing emotional intelligence, openness, and individual strengths over traditional hierarchies. (The Wall Street Journal)

The inefficacy of meetings is spurring companies to enforce “no-meeting days” as standard practice. Nearly three out of four of employees feel that most meetings do not encourage collaboration, nor disseminate information, nor accomplish tasks. Cutting meeting times in half, making sure there is an agenda beforehand, and assigning a facilitator can mitigate the meeting fatigue. (Fortune)

One in five U.K. employees are working from home more often in order to avoid annoying colleagues. Oversharing, gossiping, and swearing are often instigators for staying in. That said, over half (55%) of employees say being informal at work makes it more enjoyable. For employers, cultivating a balance between “personal” and “professional” is key to a comfortable and productive workplace. (Startups Magazine)

Companies’ investment in childcare is proving to be a boon, with ROIs as high as 425% and three quarters of employees saying that the peace of mind has helped their work performance. Up to 86% of respondents to a recent survey said that they were more likely to stay with their employer because of childcare perks. Employers will do well by designing benefits to meet the needs of parents. (Boston Consulting Group)

Millennial women are leveraging Facebook Groups for career advice, turning to the platform for referrals, interview tips, and mentorship. Advice-seekers feel too exposed to their colleagues on LinkedIn, and Facebook provides them with a casual space that allows for anonymity and diverse perspectives. (Fast Company)

One third of workers aged 18-24 report that they suffer from mental health issues– an increase from the one quarter who said the same in 2000. Despite generational stereotypes of less-resilient youth, studies show that Gen Z’s anxiety is often a result of sleep deprivation, social deprivation, attention deficiency, and addiction, of which social media may be a significant cause. (The Guardian)

For Gen Z, working more than one job to curb financial anxiety is normal. Fully 69% of Gen Z workers describe their financial situation as “fair” or worse, with 32% saying it is “poor” or “very poor.” As the oldest of the generation ages out of their parents’ health care plans, young workers take on gigs and side hustles to feel more secure about their future. (GOBankingRates)

Younger workers’ casual language is clashing with traditional notions of professionalism in the workplace While there's a push for more authenticity and candor at work, learning to balance personal expression with professionalism remains essential for career success, as poor communication is a critical factor in hindering career progress. (BBC)