I partly watched the Gen Z revolution of June 2024 in Kenya through an employment lens. The youth on the streets are the same ones in our workplaces. Bold, unafraid, vocal, demanding, and tired of the status quo. The success of the revolution has emboldened them—politically and in all other ways. We should expect more boldness at work now.
How can we prepare for this new reality in our startups and small businesses? I can think of three ways:
1. Clear communication of values and culture
At the point of hiring and onboarding, discuss your culture and values. The most common question in interviews today is: ‘What is your culture?’. Mental health is important for younger folk. They want to know what it is like working for you. So, what is your culture? What is it like to work for you? Flexibility, the opportunity to learn and grow, clear communication, and stable leadership are among the top expectations of employees.
2. A good performance management system
Come up with clear and measurable deliverables. Figure out how you will know when your employees have done a good job through key performance indicators. A good performance management system gives you the comfort of knowing work is getting done. You can then relax control and, where possible, allow working from home or hybrid work. Hybrid is a coveted work arrangement among employees. It’s not always possible, but where it is, a good performance management system and technology ensure productivity as employees work from wherever they are.
2. Fair rewards and consequences
Reward good performance and have clear consequences for underperformance. SME salaries cannot match corporate and NGO salaries. Fair remuneration and consistent reviews will keep good talent. You can expect to be challenged just as the government was if employees see unfair practices. When employees don’t meet set targets, transition the underperformers through performance improvement plans.
Managing a bold, vocal, and fearless generation will demand strong leadership and management structures. It will not be business as usual. The face of work has been changing slowly. Recent developments have brought the future of work to our doorstep. What will you need to reconsider for your business? How is your communication, your performance management, and your rewards system?
In the dynamic entrepreneurship landscape, Gen Z employees are true game changers. Their innovative mindset, boldness, and demand for transparency and fairness are reshaping workplaces. By aligning our businesses with these values, we can harness the transformative power of Gen Z to drive innovation and growth.
Viva Gen Z!