5 crucial traits to understand about Generation Z

As these young people further their education, start internships and launch careers, those already in the workforce should be aware of their preferences and attributes.

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Time for the generational changing of the guard.

“Generation Z only knows a world that is hyper-connected, where by the tap of a smartphone, a pair of shoes can be delivered to their doorstep via Uber or a drone in less than an hour. To Generation Z, a phone will be broken if they cannot see the other person on the other end. It’s a brave new world that Generation Z is growing up in.” Ryan Jenkins

The first batch of kids born in Y2K is starting college in large numbers. Their slightly older siblings are nearing graduation or have graduated, and the first few members of Generation Z (or the iGeneration) have entered the workforce. By all indications, they’ll prove themselves just as practical and capable as millennials.

This cohort, born from about 1996 to 2016, have recognized what many older workers can’t or won’t: The old paradigm of employee loyalty doesn’t work in an “at-will” environment, where companies sacrifice staff whenever the bottom line demands it.

What’s left is a cognitive dissonance among upper executives, who seem to think workers should be loyal no matter how they’re treated.

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