How to work with Gen Z to advance your career

How to work with Gen Z to advance your careerHow to work with Gen Z to advance your careerGen Z is here - and theyre older than you think. This new generation, starting with those born in 1996, is already up to age 21Gen Z is the generation that directly follows millennials, but theyre very different from millennials. In general, Gen Z avoided the Great Recession, thinks Facebook is for old people, and cant remember a time before learning key life skills on YouTube.Gen Z employees bring tremendous potential to the workforce, along with their Venmo account. They will be looking to you as a leader and manager to help unlock their talent - which you can do while advancing your own career, too.Experienced leaders and managers know all too well how hard it welches to adapt to recruit, retain, and develop millennial employees. I know because Ive worked with more than100,000managers and leaders around the world to help them better manage millennials, almost always in a multi-generational workforce.Innew national Gen Z research studyfrom The Center for Generational Kinetics, of which Im president and co-founder, we uncovered that the younger generation may be a much-needed boon for managers rather than a bust. The reason? This new generation specifically says they dont want to end up like millennials.What exactly does Gen Z mean?Our research shows that this generation doesnt want to be known for acting entitled, end up saddled with massive amounts of college debt, or feel like theyre stuck in perpetual delayed adulthood.While this mayput pressure on millennials in the workforce to provide greater performance (which makes both Gen X and Boomer cheer), it mayalso create an opportunity for managers, leaders, and executives to shine as Gen Z brings a different work ethic and technological skill set to work.Read more SurpriseLadders survey of workers says millennials are impoverished workaholicsWhat can a manager or leader do to future-proof their career as Gen Z emerges in their workplace?Below are three key strategies we uncovered in our national research and through our work speaking and consulting with managers of Gen Z around the world1. Dont treat Gen Z like millennials - and definitely, dont call them millennialsThis new generation feels offendedwhen you label them as millennials. This is particularly important since they say they dont want to end up like millennials or face the stereotypes thrust upon that generation.2. Take time to learn their technology, even if you dont actually use itThis is a big one. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are all great for staying in touch, influencing, and networking with your peer group - if youre over the age 21, but these channels are out of step with Gen Z.To understand how this new generation communicates, learns, influences, and works, open accounts on channels that connect more with them, including Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. Then find and follow accounts with high levels of Gen Z engagement.S eeing technology through the lens of the younger generation will help you connect with and show them both how and why they should take their unique skills and adapt them to your workplace.3. Remember that you have what Gen Z needs most real-world experienceWith the emergence of a new generation of employees, the previous generations often worry that theyll be leapfrogged or replaced with these up and coming (and less expensive) employees. This generation-based fear can be a major obstacle to a manager or executives ability to create trust and influence with this new generation.The end result is that by bedrngnis recognizing that you can, and should, adapt to unlock Gen Zs workplace potential, you couldactually end up accelerating your own obsolescence by showing that you are not the right person to lead across generations.Dont fall into this generational trap Instead, see this rising generation as a large, emerging opportunity where you can showcase your own talent for bridging gene rations to make the most of your entire workforce.By adapting to Gen Zs emergence in the workplace, you can unlock their talent, amplify your own, and future-proof your career. Youll also likely gain a lot more followers on Instagram.Jason Dorsey is President and Co-Founder of The Center for Generational Kinetics,a millennial and Gen Z research, speaking, and consulting firm.