We’ve all heard the stereotypes about Gen Z, generally considered to include those born between 1996 and 2010. They’re addicted to social media, entitled, lazy (especially when it comes to reading), selfish — the list goes on and on.
But in reality, these stereotypes aren’t new. A commencement address given at USC in 1968 felt the need to defend what at the time was “the younger generation,” while also noting that complaints about younger generations could be traced back to Aristotle.
Negative attitudes toward Gen Z aren’t useful, especially with Gen Z poised to constitute 30% of the workforce by 2030. As 15-year-old Allison Moores, an author, biotech researcher and Gen Z thought leader, explains, it’s time for an inter-generational truce — as much more can be accomplished together.
Why A Truce Is Needed
“Of course Gen Z has its problems — but so does every generation,” Moores says.
“As a whole, though, I think a lot of these generalizations tend to get blown out of proportion by people who are looking to create controversy. In reality, shouldn’t we all be looking for ways to bring together our unique perspectives and talents? Gen Z has been collaborating digitally since we were kids, helping us become natural networkers who can get a lot done on the go. Working differently than the old norms doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”
Indeed, those who embrace the unique perspectives and skills of Gen Z often find them to be a distinct advantage in the workplace. In a report from Rasmussen University, Stefan Campbell, owner of the Small Business Blog, says her Gen Z employees “offer a unique perspective in the office. They help keep us older employees on our toes.”
As the Rasmussen University article notes, fresh perspectives, an innovative mindset, natural technological expertise and adaptability and resilience are all positive traits commonly associated with Gen Z that can enhance their collaborative skills.
A sense of social and environmental consciousness, paired with an emphasis on diversity, equality and fairness, also makes Gen Z well suited to collaborating with a broad range of groups.
Of course, such advantages can only be unlocked when the older generations are willing to accept Gen Z.
“We recognize that we have a lot to learn,” Moores said.
“But there’s a difference between shutting us down and serving as a mentor. We want to grow and improve so we can have a greater impact on our communities and the world. Creating these positive relationships at work or in education can go a long way in creating the meaning that our generation craves and helping us live out our interests and values. With the right opportunities, we can work together and achieve so much more than if we stay in our generational bubbles.”
Inter-Generational Collaboration In Action
Moores doesn’t just talk the talk. Her own experience in developing an international HPV vaccination initiative is a prime example of how inter-generational collaborations can have a meaningful impact.
“When I was 13, I felt compelled to help spread the word about how the HPV vaccine can prevent cancer,” Moores recalls. “I was shocked at how much resistance and misinformation I confronted — but I knew so little at the time. I wasn’t having nearly the impact I had envisioned. I was feeling discouraged, so I reached out to Dr. Fogelbach who worked across the border in Tijuana, Mexico and taught at the nursing school there. My best friend Riley Ross and I wrote up an entire proposal about getting HPV vaccine donations and going to migrant camps at the border and offering the shots to families with kids in the target age range.”
Moores initiated the potential collaboration by reaching out to a medical professional who was in an older generation than she. And while the proposed collaboration didn’t go the way Moores initially anticipated, Dr. Fogelbach’s response helped turn it in a positive direction.
“Dr. Fogelbach didn’t just dismiss us out of hand, which I’m so grateful for,” Moores says.
“Instead, he worked with us to redirect our efforts — starting by setting up educational seminars for these families. From there, Dr. Fogelbach was asked to speak at a medical school in El Salvador and we decided to redesign our presentation to appeal to college girls. We received great feedback on our presentation. Dr. Fogelbach was then asked to make our presentation to high school children throughout El Salvador. Because El Salvador has a school vaccination program, the kids who attended were offered the vaccine after the presentation, and we saw very high success rates.”
Throughout the development and adaptation of the presentations, Dr. Fogelbach and Moores worked closely together to ensure the accuracy of the information while keeping it appropriate for each audience. The combined insights and perspectives of these two collaborators from different generations led to a major win in increasing vaccination rates.
It’s worth noting that such collaborations can also be beneficial for older generations, as well. For example, last month, I highlighted how Aarya Dhru, a Gen Z who is a co-founder of the I3 Foundation, is working to bridge the gap between high-schoolers and small business owners. She noted, “There’s a common misconception that high school students are limited to unskilled work, but the reality is that they bring invaluable expertise in areas like social media and technology.”
Continued Dhru, “Since these students have grown up using these platforms, they know how to engage an audience and create innovative ideas. They’ve developed an ability to recognize trends and craft strategies that resonate with today’s digital audience. For business owners, this means receiving unique insights and creative solutions that go beyond the ordinary, which can help them long-term.”
Building A Better Future
As Moores’ insights and example illustrate, there doesn’t need to be friction and conflict between generations. Each generation has its own strengths and insights that they bring to the table. And when they bring these differences together in a positive, collaborative effort, they can achieve meaningful change that creates a positive result for all generations.