Recently, I announced I was leaving my job and taking some time out. After posting the obligatory LinkedIn update, I noticed something curious in the responses. I am 41 and while younger friends congratulated me for putting myself first, older peers were sorry to hear the news.
Generational differences are often missed in discussions about diversity and building resilient working cultures. But attitudes about work vary according to when people grew up. The challenge for leaders is to adapt their style to meet the needs of Gen Z employees who expect more from both their jobs and those who hire them.
“The times shape our identity, and the expectations we have of our employers and our careers,” says Abadesi Osunsade, vice-president of global community and belonging at consumer intelligence company Brandwatch. In most industries, for example, jobs for life are a thing of the past: as people work for longer, they will have multiple careers and need to refresh their skills as sectors and roles evolve.