Is it difficult to fit in with Gen Z? Expand your horizons, gain more energy.

Gen Z, a generation considered talented, dynamic, and perfectly capable of collaborating and working together effectively - Photo: Q. DINH

More importantly, I realized I needed to update and adapt. Because when I returned to school after working for a while, being the oldest in the class, the age difference and generation gap made me feel quite disoriented.

I'm concerned that not many Gen Z students know how to fold their hands and bow to greet elders. They begrudge even saying "yes, sir/ma'am," and readily argue and talk back to older people, including teachers, if they believe they are right. They don't hesitate to show their displeasure or do their own thing during class if the lecture is unengaging or the subject is too difficult.

TRUONG QUOC PHONG

Gen Z taught me how to learn.

My classmates elected me as class president. It was fun, but also quite stressful and pressure-filled because Gen Z students think and learn differently from our generation. They're tech-savvy, good at math, especially solving problems on calculators, getting answers instantly. Meanwhile, I'm still painstakingly doing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division the old way, following the steps of formulas sequentially, which puts me at a huge disadvantage in multiple-choice exams.

Some friends even teased me for being old-fashioned, which hurt my feelings a bit, but over time I realized they were right. I started getting used to solving math problems on computers, and my friends immediately taught me very enthusiastically. I realized that my pride, unwillingness to listen, and failure to update my knowledge and technology skills among Gen Z almost left me behind.

Studying with my classmates, I learned many smart study methods. Instead of scribbling all over their notebooks, they just listen and take notes on outlines; some even record the teachers' lectures.

For important parts, cleverly use your phone to take photos of the information. At the end of the session, simply share them in the class group so that anyone who needs them can save them.

Having studied with Gen Z for 10 years at several different schools, I've learned to be patient, less demanding, and not always expect perfection.

Perhaps at this age, we tend to be impulsive and prioritize results over process, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Each of you has a relatively flexible and up-to-date way of learning and problem-solving, with the support of technology, rather than remaining sluggish and stubbornly relying on experience, sometimes to the point of being conservative, like I was.

However, perhaps because Gen Z is a generation that uses information technology and communicates in foreign languages ​​frequently, many students make spelling mistakes and use incorrect grammar. They casually use slang or slip in foreign words in their presentations. Occasionally, they even form groups to badmouth or mock their teachers, even when they are wrong. This is clearly unacceptable!

Sharp-witted, daring to step outside the comfort zone.

During the 10 years I spent back in school after starting work, I worked part-time at companies or participated in projects that brought together many Gen Z individuals. The advertising and media work environment allowed me to meet many different personalities, but what I liked most was the daring, responsible, and creative spirit of people in this age group.

They are not afraid to innovate, proposing ideas that could be described as brilliant, ideas that those of our generation, for the sake of safety, would not dare to experiment with or break through. Coupled with the advantage of technology and language, when needing to find any up-to-date documents or new ideas, they contribute very quickly and with a flair that exceeds expectations, including extremely imaginative and creative ideas that satisfy partners and are accepted.

It's difficult to expect Gen Z to work a traditional 8-hour workday like a diligent office worker. They often arrive late to the office, only able to work effectively after 9 PM because many stay up late with their own hobbies. Therefore, while we want Gen Z to cooperate and work happily, we shouldn't impose our generation's views or lifestyles on them.

It's a fact that Gen Z young people are willing to quit their jobs if they feel uncomfortable or unhappy from their perspective. This can be somewhat explained by the fact that Gen Z was born during a period of economic development; jokingly but quite accurately, their parents were willing to "sacrifice their own lives to secure their children's future." If they're unhappy at work, they're ready to confront their bosses, almost always looking to change work environments, even choosing to become freelancers for the freedom they desire.

It's important to be very empathetic.

I believe working with Gen Z isn't difficult. The key is to be very empathetic and understand their true needs and desires. It's especially important to pay attention to their confident personalities, their desire for self-expression, and their wish to assert their position and abilities, so you can make timely adjustments and provide support to help them grow.

Of course, we shouldn't indulge in the bad habits of Gen Z, such as their habit of partying all night at bars and pubs, which destroys their health and bodies. Most importantly, we should never compromise with or accept the use of stimulants and drug use among young people.

Understanding leads to greater compassion.

I work in the film industry, so I frequently interact with Gen Z. When I think about Gen Z, I often think about the period when they enter adolescence, which many psychologists call the rebellious phase. Because these young people are also a form of "rebellion" in many different ways.

I remember a film project where I was shooting in the forest with the crew. There was a Gen Z actress, a recent graduate with a few acting roles. During filming, she kept acting but couldn't quite get the character right, but when the director pointed it out, she immediately retorted. While the director and crew were still surprised by this reaction, she continued to analyze the character and how to film and act accordingly...

Without discussing whether that Gen Z actress's analysis was right or wrong, it's understandable that many people dislike her given her attitude. Even now, I rarely see her in other projects, and I'm not sure if she's still working in the industry!

I know that most Gen Z members are intelligent and quick-witted, but also very emotionally unstable. They have a lot to learn from, both their strengths and weaknesses. From my own experience, I know that Gen Z members always crave being heard, especially fearing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This, combined with their young age, limited communication and interaction with large groups, and their tendency to value their individual egos, means they will inevitably face challenges.

In my opinion, mutual understanding is essential. Trying to control your emotions a bit when working with Gen Z will show that they become more receptive and endearing each day. Conversely, they also understand that in today's world, intelligence and individuality aren't the top priorities for employers or anyone else. Instead, teamwork skills and work efficiency are more important.

Nobody is saying Gen Z isn't intelligent; they're just tired of their intelligence being used in the wrong places. So both sides need to be proactive and use their skills to understand and love each other more.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoa-dong-gen-z-co-kho-khong-mo-mang-hoc-hoi-tiep-them-nang-luong-20240406232555696.htm