X and Z clash and how are we doing?
GenX and Gen Z — two generations, two different life perspectives, different circumstances of growing up, and two distinct strategies. I belong to Gen X, and at work, I mostly interact with Gen Zs, who are significantly different. Your offspring belongs to that glorious generation. So you notice nuances, which are interesting, other, and distinct.
What I have observed is that there is a lot to learn from them. They do not like to take advice from us, and we somehow don’t like to shell them out anyway. They are clearer about what they don’t want than what they may want. That makes life a lot easier to navigate.
Our generation had minimal exposure in the first 25 years, with limited access to information, and hence still believed in hearsay details and information that trickled from close groups to refer to when making a decision. Ofcourse, after that, there was a deluge of information which trickled and shaped our lives like how? That gave us two distinctive world views: one of limited resources and, hence, restrictions and the other of abundance. We have understood the importance of using the same vastness in nurturing the coming generations and ourselves, and hence, that impact can be seen in the attitude of Gen Z, who can be our offspring or someone whom you might have nurtured.
There are many characteristics that Gen Z possess that make them apt for the present competitive and resource-abundant world. Wouldn’t say they are cold and nonemotional. They invest in relationships they want to nurture rather than spreading their energy on many and being exhausted. There is a distinct aloofness in their demeanor, and that makes you cautiously less interruptive to them. In our cases, anyone could bulldoze into our space and dwell in it till we realize what is happening and rebel out of it.
Gen X demands respect through understated yet powerful actions. The other builds its reputation on image, influence, and visibility. So, social media presence has become very important, and there is constant activity on it. Gen X can be seen as lurking uncles or gossipy aunties on social media who stalk and observe while not being active themselves.
Gen Z is eager to be seen and admired. Their persona is built on visibility and validation, reflecting the digital age’s emphasis on image and influence. Gen X demands respect through actions and presence, even on social media, if they are on it. They publish their official achievements or fitness feats, while Gen X could post their hazy mirror photos, party photos, or selfies. Gen X’s style is primarily understated but powerful, while younger people prefer to be out there and on the face.
Speed and agility, physically and even mentally, are GenZ’s forte in solving tech-oriented challenges and physical activities. They also have the advantage of adaptability and quick thinking; they grew up with a powerful device in their hands when they were potty trained. We, Gen X, possess resilience and raw power from varied and sometimes young experiences of growing up in resource constraints or restrictive environments. Strength and determination are the common factors among both.
In the workplace, we seem to go well better with this Generation than the ones in between. Gen Y or millennials seem just a small reflection of ours, but they are a lot more confused and privileged. This makes them less resourceful, indulgent, and not driven. They seem to still be figuring out what they actually need or whether they want to be employees or, in the long term, something else.
As marketers, Gen Z is our favorite customer. They like to connect with an authentic brand that makes our lives interesting, as just getting the hashtags right may not work with these mobile natives. As they grew up in a recession, they know the value of money and what brand provides value for their money.
It’s a vivid meeting of generations. I like the distinct and fun outcome in the workplace, on social media, and at home.
