We’ve all heard the stats: Gen Z has never known a world without access to the internet and to mobile technology… Gen Z is more comfortable with new technologies than any other generation… Gen Z is the most tech-savvy generation.
These statements are not untrue: younger generations do have a tendency to know more about up-and-coming technologies, trends, and they’re more likely to understand the hard and soft skills needed to successfully navigate the latest digital platforms. However, what if we told you that Gen Z is no more of a digital expert than a Baby Boomer?
It may seem counter-intuitive, but stick with us here. In a study conducted by Dell, they found that over a third of Gen Z actually felt that their education didn’t do enough to prepare them for the workplace in terms of technology use, while nearly half of Gen Z claimed that their education only provided them with the most “basic computing skills.” Educators are also questioning (see here and here) whether schools should increase typing education, as the prioritization of typing classes has declined in the past 10-15 years, and students are—unsurprisingly—unable to intuit the “home keys” method that many of us learned through repeated courses in school. (Anecdotally, one of our own GPS team members, a former English teacher, once taught an 11th grader how to use the “Shift” key; he’d been using the Caps Lock key every time he needed to capitalize a letter.) All of this to say: maybe the “digital natives” moniker for Gen Z has unfairly painted them as digital experts.
Let’s Talk Solutions
As we all know, typing is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to effective, accurate, and productive technology use in the workplace, and now that we’re debunking the “tech-savvy” stereotype, you can probably think of ways that your own younger team members may actually be facing a digital skills gap. Instead of confronting this fact with anxiety, though, let’s view it as a positive. Our team has pulled together a few tips to navigate this reality:
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- Let go of assumptions. We know that releasing stereotypes can be easier said than done, but in this case, we find that the assumption that Gen Z is “the best” at digital skills ends up weakening the whole team. Instead, recognize that every generation in the workplace has an advantage concerning certain digital skills, and when we pool our collective knowledge, we all win.
- Start paying attention to your team’s digital capabilities. Think about all of the ways that your team uses technology on a daily basis: Typing, digital organization and file storage, Excel, online team collaboration, general computer troubleshooting, social media, online communication etiquette, internet research, AI utilization, and more. Remember that each of these aspects of the digital realm arrived into the workplace in different times (and some generations are particularly well-trained in specific skills because of when that aspect was invented). For example, Excel usage and digital organization is more likely to be a strong skill for Gen X and Millennials because they grew up in an era when these digital skills were cutting edge (and were therefore prioritized more highly in education). On the flip side, Gen Z may have more know-how in the realms of social media and swift digital communication. Don’t assume the digital skills of your employees just based upon their generation, of course, but be on the lookout for team members with specific digital strengths, and identify skill gaps as well.
- Upskill your entire team. If you see an area that needs improvement (and trust us, everyone’s got a digital weakness!), how can you provide training and professional development? Can you offer courses to your team to make them more well-rounded in the technological skills needed to thrive in their roles? If not, can you facilitate collaborative internal training, where different team members train and instruct others? For example, a seasoned business leader can teach digital file organization to younger team members. Or, an entry-level employee can give a casual course in how to use a new app that increases efficient collaboration. If you have a team member who has gained strategic knowledge in workplace AI usage, they can share those skills with the team. With this method, everyone learns from each other, and the various strengths throughout the team ultimately upskill everyone. (We’d also argue that this practice would serve as a great opportunity to foster generational awareness!)
Why does this matter?
Even with something as ubiquitous as the Internet, it’s important to acknowledge that young talent has not necessarily absorbed all of the knowledge of previous digital eras (and it would be unfair to expect them to). Likewise, it’s completely reasonable for seasoned business leaders to be unaware of the latest apps, trends, and capabilities. Letting go of these expectations can free us up to learn from one another.
In general, the digital skills conversation is an excellent example of how generational stereotyping can result in assumptions that gloss over important nuances. Not only is this relationally prohibitive, but it can ultimately limit the potential of your team. However, leaders who pay attention to these differences may find an excellent opportunity to share knowledge across generations, and they’ll see everyone’s skills improve as a result.
To be clear, this conversation is not about pointing out a Gen Z weakness. It’s about recognizing that even with something as “new-fangled” as technology (and how rapidly it changes), each generation has something to offer to the others. Seeing this fact as a conversation-starter (and seeing a multi-generational team as an advantage) will ultimately increase your team’s productivity, professional growth, and pride in their work.
At Generational Performance Solutions, we believe the key to thriving in the hybrid workplace lies in understanding and leveraging the strengths of every generation. If you’re ready to dive deeper, check out our 2024 Talent Impact Report for more insights and tools to help your team thrive.
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What’s Next?
Ready to transform your multi-generational workplace? Contact Generational Performance Solutions today! We can help you develop a thoughtful work culture that fosters positive relationships, strengthens your employer brand, and attracts top talent. Let’s ensure your benefits pave the way for a dynamic cross-generational workforce! To learn more about how our services can help you uncover the power of social media in recruiting and retaining professional talent, schedule Your Free Planning Session Today.
