Sasha Radford’s Post

Are you ready to understand what really drives Gen Z at work and go beyond the headlines? 🌟 Join us on Thursday, September 19th at 11am for a webinar on the future of work as defined by Generation Z. Top Employers Institute conducted an extensive survey involving 1,700 Gen Z individuals across nine countries and four continents, along with insights from 2,366 global Top Employers.  🌍📊 🗓 Date: 19 September 2024 ⏰ Time: 11:00 am (CET) 🔗 Register here: https://ow.ly/pXwf50TnZ04 What you'll discover: ✨ Gen Z's top priorities and their vision for career growth and work-life balance. 🌐 How they're reimagining social connections and building their ideal workplace community. 🤝 The new leadership expectations as Gen Z emphasizes emotional intelligence. 🤖 Gen Z's approach to AI, including their concerns about its long-term impact. Are you ready to rise to the challenge set by the next wave of talent? 🚀 #futureofwork #genz #forabetterworldofwork #topemployers

Thank you again to everyone who joined us at Tech Talent North! Here are a few of the highlights from the afternoon keynote and breakout sessions: 🤝 Our lunch session, was an open and honest discussion on prioritizing mental health and wellbeing. What's necessary to have in our toolkit and the essential resources. People are more prone to hide mental health disorders than to be open about them. Build a culture of psychological safety and support where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their mental health. 🔥 Hot compensation topics were covered with two experienced panels addressing Pay Transparency (in the morning) and Private Equity Compensation programs in the afternoon. For #PayTransparency the panel shared openly their ‘what worked’ and ‘what didn’t’ perspectives. When it comes to Private Equity plans, it’s an important tool but it’s not valued as much as it could be because it is not as widely understood. “What is HR’s role in private equity plans? Our job is to help communicate them in a way that people can understand” - Amanda Mallow. ⚡ Our closing keynote, with Anna Baird, on Google’s 'Ingredients of Innovation: Where AI, Technology, People, Culture & Process Converge' offered us so much to unpack! We are democratizing AI, it's happening. We can go back to the principles of innovation in our approach to its integration in the workplace. First, you need to have a psychologically safe foundation. And second, fail. Fail fast and learn! Thank you to Cube Business Media Inc. for helping us with this amazing day for our community to collaborate and create these unforgettable learning experiences and connections. 🚀 #TechTalentNorth #TAPNetwork #PeopleandCulture #HR #TechSector

Gen Z: The Generation Redefining Norms Ever wondered what makes Gen Z tick? I was fascinated by a report from McKinsey & Company on Generation Z, aka, Gen Z and couldn't help but share my thoughts on it. Born between 1996 and 2010, Gen Z has grown up in a world that’s anything but conventional. Shaped by the digital age, economic shifts, and a global pandemic, they’re navigating adulthood with a unique blend of optimism and realism. Let's touchbase what sets them apart: - Digital Experts Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with the internet embedded in daily life. From shopping and working to building relationships, they do it all online. But don’t mistake them for just screen-obsessed; they’re masters of balancing their online presence while seeking authenticity and smaller, more personalized digital spaces. - Caring about Social Issues This generation isn’t just about likes and trends—they care deeply about social issues, sustainability, and inclusivity. Whether it’s climate change or equity, Gen Z believes in putting purpose at the center of their actions. Brands take note: superficial gestures won’t cut it. They demand accountability and real change. - New Ideas of Success Gen Zers are questioning traditional paths and redefining what success looks like. With rising student debt and economic uncertainty, they value personal fulfillment as much as career achievements. They're entrepreneurial, independent, and willing to forge their own paths, often prioritizing experiences over material possessions. - Focus on Mental Health Perhaps more than any generation before, Gen Z is open about mental health struggles and the importance of self-care. Growing up amidst global challenges has made them realistic about their prospects, yet determined to advocate for better mental health resources and support systems. - Dealing with Uncertainity From pandemic disruptions to financial instability, Gen Z faces an unpredictable future but embraces it with resilience and adaptability. They’re less likely to trust traditional safety nets and more inclined to build their own financial and social security through side gigs, investments, and community building. So, what does this mean for businesses and leaders? In today's time, if we want to resonate with Gen Z, authenticity, inclusivity, and action are key because they don’t just want products or services; they want partnerships with brands that share their values. #genz #innovation #success

Why does the elusive 15-hour workweek remain out of reach? The answer might be nestled within your social media feeds. Today's media, fueled by advertising revenue, skillfully crafts content that nudges us toward perpetual consumerism, overshadowing the simple joys of life like reading a book or engaging in meaningful conversations over coffee. The internet and social media, unforeseen disruptors, have become powerful platforms where advertisers leverage sophisticated psychological tactics to make us crave the latest trends. This relentless push for consumption drives us to work more, not less—a stark contrast to the predictions made by economists in 1930. As professionals, it's crucial to recognize and reflect on how these forces shape our work habits and lifestyles. #DigitalAgeImpact #Consumerism #WorkLifeBalance

☕️ Did you know that Gen Z is all about locking into work? According to stats, 'teenagers working (or looking for work) recently hit a 14-year high which sits at 38%'. Remember when I talked about my teenage daughter Aaliyah and trying to keep up with her slang? 😅 I always think about her entering the workforce (she's about to be 15 this summer). Not only do I need to support her in being prepared, but businesses need to support these teens with pathways to creativity. Regardless of industry or size of company. PERIODT. 👋🏽 Here's how. HR/People Ops can start by having a family reunion with our favorite cousin - Marketing. Brace yourself for another 5S framework. 1. Segmentation and Personalization (read: throw out the cookie cutter) 2. Strategy (anything else would be uncivilized) 3. Socialize (read: build + nurture) 4. Sync (read: internal/external branding alignment) 5. Sustain (read: maintain momentum) 💼 There's a bunch to unpack, but you get the jist. Don't you want to enhance your employee experience? 😏 Look for me to dive into this more in the coming quarter. #summerseries #hr #peopleoperations #genz #peopleandculture Pictured: my favorite moody teenager NO CAP.

Gen Z: Shaping the Future of Work As part of Gen Z, I have witnessed firsthand how we are transforming the workplace. We're not just employees—we are change-makers who value purpose, authenticity, and flexibility in our careers. ●    Breaking Down Hierarchies: We are not afraid to challenge outdated norms. When something does not feel right, we speak up, regardless of our position. Our voices matter, and we expect to be heard. ●    Purpose Over Paychecks: We are driven by values and meaningful work. If a company's mission doesn't align with our beliefs, we are quick to move on. This challenges organizations to create environments that truly matter. ●    Work-Life Harmony: Balance is non-negotiable. We are advocating for flexible hours, remote options, and mental health support because we believe that thriving at work is about thriving in life. ●    Radical Transparency: We prioritize honesty and direct communication. It might be uncomfortable, but it is leading to more open and authentic workplaces where everyone can thrive. Fellow Gen Z and Millennials, what is your take? Share your experiences in the comments or tell us how you have made your voice heard at work. Let us drive this conversation forward together! #GenZ #WorkCulture #Flexibility #PurposeDriven

In our 'Embrace the Shift' series, where we explore market trends in the dynamic work economy, we take a deep dive into the motivations of Generation Z in the emerging workforce. We explore insights for employers to appeal to and attract the unique skills of this generation, and how to utilise their potential for mutual benefit. #generationz #genz #workforce Ryan Lee Viran Abeykoon Viran Abeykoon

🚨 Did you know? 11% of the entire workforce has a side hustle, and it’s not just who you’d expect with 38% being VPs or higher. 💼 Side hustling is for everyone these days, transforming the job market as we know it. Unpack more consumer trends shaping consumer habits in 2025, in our flagship 2025 consumer trends report 👉 https://bit.ly/3CosTlq

Miro's founder, Andrey Khusid noted that “When individuals who entered the workforce before email can collaborate smoothly with those who were raised on memes and selfies, your business can bring more widely appealing products to market, craft compelling marketing campaigns to touch millions, and win love for your brand across the generational spectrum.” (https://lnkd.in/eVR7676d) The fact is, the Generational divide in the workplace, globally, is a real thing. Sure, there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not these Generational cohorts have true impact on businesses, but to pretend that there is no impact at all would be foolish - in our humble opinion. Over the last fifty years, Generations have experienced the rise of the computer, the fall of the Berlin Wall, multiple economic booms and crashes, the fall of the Twin Towers, and a global pandemic causing long-term isolation  – to name but a few meaningful events. These events occurred in different years, impacting people in different ways. And when such events occur in formative years, the impact on psychological mindset is profound. The Generational Experience study we are doing is seeking to unearth some of that impact and to highlight the nuances that are important to consider when making decisions that will drive sustained productivity and success for businesses over the Generations to come. Interested in understanding how Generations impact your workplace, let's connect! #generationalexperience #customerexperience #employeeexperience #businessstrategy cc: Judi Samuels Nic Taylor

THE WHOLE SELF (and nothing but the self) I talk a lot about ‘Generation 360’ - a term i coined for Gen Z and the newbies heading into adult life as Gen A through my New Working Class lens. I read a lot about the reported challenges younger generations present to employers, expecting to ‘bring their whole self to work’. Julianna Pillemer has delivered a fascinating paper about ‘strategic authenticity’, investigating a framework of being which balances expressions of one’s inner self with cultural expectations and professional norms of the workplace. Read it in the links below. At 53, my penchant for hats and saying what i see and being curious about how and why others read things differently has been and continues to be both muscle and achilles tendon - my own ‘strategic authenticity’ playing against executive narratives. My mother in particular maintains i am faintly ridiculous for it. Bloody boomers… In truth, my read of the ‘whole self’ thesis is to investigate the role of work in each of our 360 lives. What it brings to us, as much as what we bring to it. That craving for meaning, purpose and agency in line with our values. So that committing so much time and energy to work can anchor our sense of self-worth, way beyond the insecurities of wage and station. Bringing work into our whole self. Is that a young person’s game, or something we are all reflecting on - whether we are honest about it or not? Because unless we can get relational about it, work will continue to be transactional. And of unstable or declining value to each of us. The value of us as humans in being authentic, intuitive and honest about who we are and the energy and experiences we can embody in our work will soon be negated by workflows and other intelligence. So we best protect and celebrate our humanness. Humanness #authenticity #workplaceculture