Gen Z: argumentative, lazy and job-hopping every two years

• There! Now I've got your attention. Because one topic that always annoys me is the clichéd categorisation of Gen-Z, millennials and boomers. Yes, of course, the memes are great and funny in between - but let's move on and let's put it all to one side. take a closer look.

  In my work as an entrepreneur, conflict coach and qualified psychologist, I have learnt a lot. But one thing above all: we are all human - and people are individual. "Sure," you might be thinking, "that's logical." But why are such statements so often generalised? Because of course you will meet "Gen-Z" employees who can't stand working remotely. Or "boomers" who like to change jobs every few years. Of course there are tendencies, but they have less to do with "generation" than with what we have learnt, what we react to, what is demanded of us or refused.

  If someone doesn't feel like working unpaid overtime because he or she has learnt that work is not valued or is massively underpaid, then that's not laziness, but a different understanding of work culture. And to be honest, I think it's a pretty healthy one.

  But let's relate the whole thing to the topic of "conflict culture in companies" and what prejudices there actually are regarding Gen-Z. What bothers me about the whole Gen-Z vs. millennials debate is not that there are differences - generally speaking. It's that we generalise them without really looking at the substance of the whole thing. We reduce people to a label and then no longer take a closer look. But that would be exactly the beginning: looking. Wanting to understand. And to learn.

  Cliché 1: Gen Z is "argumentative"

  Many online articles claim that Gen Z is particularly argumentative. In fact, it turns out that they simply want a relaxed working environment and to talk things out. While older generations often avoid conflicts or deal with them indirectly, the younger generation tends to simply talk things out more often. And yes - sometimes that seems too much for others. However, conflicts are less likely to escalate where they are addressed at an early stage. Where discussions take place at eye level, there is more understanding. So it's less about "belligerence" - and more about a more differentiated attitude towards open communication.

  Cliché 2: Super "sensitive to criticism"

  Another prejudice: Gen-Z can't handle criticism. Yet feedback is so important - especially when it comes regularly and not from the top down. Many of the younger generation want to know where they stand. But at eye level, please - because who wouldn't want that? And that is precisely why there is no lack of critical faculties, but rather a new understanding of healthy cooperation and true teamwork.

  Cliché 3: "Responsibility is a foreign word"

  "As much as it takes" is often said when talking about Gen-Z and their work ethic. And what may be seen as the younger generation's hidden laziness is perhaps also an aspect that can prevent many from an unpleasant surprise: Burnout. Because this is precisely where the potential lies - in knowing and respecting your own limits. Constantly questioning mental health, fairness and your own resilience and listening to yourself is not a weakness, but a strength. If you do this, you can also avoid accumulating conflicts in the long term - because you take responsibility for yourself. In combination with open communication, this can significantly improve the overall working atmosphere.

  What does this ultimately mean for companies?

  Leadership will (have to) change. Not because Gen-Z demands it. But because the world of work is changing. Leading teams today requires more conflict sensitivity, strong communication skills, a clear attitude towards mistakes - and empathy for different attitudes than ever before. This also means that judgement "from above" is neither expedient nor in keeping with the times

  All Gen-Z does is act as a mirror of the current society. And anyone who dares to look inside will discover development potential for the whole team and the entire company.

  💭 And now I'd like to know more: How do you perceive this whole debate? Do you also dislike the clichéd categorisation or do you even think that it is beneficial to perceive these differences as such?

  #genz#startups#conflicts#millenials#boomer#communication#companies

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