Gen Z Is Anxious at Work
Poor Gen Z workers. Many began their careers during the pandemic, holed away at home. Some still work remotely and therefore never acquired the insider knowledge gained by day-to-day exposure to more experienced workers. With an endless stream of messages from faceless colleagues, the youngest participants in the workforce have little to guide them in how to respond, making them anxious. Adding to their angst, the demographic has witnessed massive layoffs and inflation that just heightens their worries.
Despite the validity of the reasons leading to Gen Z’s reputation for being anxious, employers are not pleased. Managers complain Gen Z workers take too many sick days, don’t know how to relate to co-workers, and overshare.
Still, much depends on getting the new generation up to par. Without their improved productivity, the economy will suffer, experts say, so bosses must step up and help their younger colleagues and recent graduates.
Upton-Clark, E. (2023, December 11). Gen Z is bringing a whole new vibe to the workplace: Anxiety. Business Insider. https://businessinsider.com
Make the Most of Your Mentor
Those new to a position, industry, or work in general benefit tremendously from having a mentor. Mentors are more experienced businesspeople and professionals who can guide younger workers so they avoid pitfalls and take advantage of opportunities in the workplace.
To gain the most from a mentor, follow these pointers:
- Show initiative. Don’t expect your mentor to reach out to you. Mentors are typically busy with their own careers and are doing you a favor. Your task is to make being a mentor easy, so take the initiative and set up a meeting to discuss your career trajectory.
- Be original. Do your homework before meeting with your mentor to avoid asking hackneyed questions or ones you could easily research yourself.
- Communicate clearly and succinctly. State what you need and want from your mentor, and when you meet, stick to the topics you want answers to.
- Show respect. Because your mentor is doing you a favor, respect his or her time. Don’t call repeatedly, and if you choose not to follow advice your mentor gives, explain why.
- Know the limits of the relationship. Having a mentor will not solve all your work-related problems. A mentor is there to offer feedback, perspective, and observations.
Moran, A. (2024, January 17). Mentee mastery: 5 tips for getting the most out of your mentor. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com
Building a Network = Building Social Capital
Few people consider networking a favorite activity. Yet networking remains the single best way to move careers forward.
Networks are made up of relationships and social capital, that is, the value from positive connections between people. But networking only functions properly if the mentee continues the chain. In other words, once newcomers have been introduced to a contact, it behooves them to pass along that act of generosity and be open to introductions themselves.
When making networking connections, workers need not wait for a perfect person. If they trust an individual as being sincere and having integrity, that is enough. To keep the goodwill going, in turn that “imperfect person” should be introduced to another contact who may help or benefit from the introduction.
An important element to introducing people is to remember you are not responsible if it does not pan out. You have introduced two adults; it’s up to them to take it from there. You should also not expect anything in return. Networking is not always transactional, so take the long view when making connections.
Finally, look for opportunities to make introductions every day. Being proactive is a small act that can have huge consequences.
Jeevan, S. (2024, February 18). The 3 secrets to building a great professional network. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com