“Work smart not hard” - Advice from Gen Z

(From left to right: me (Gen Z, 2001), my sister (Gen Z, 1997), my grandma (Pre-war, 1940) in our native country Poland) 

“Work smart not hard” - Advice from Gen Z 

by Lena

They are the newest members of the workforce, they are the first generation that have fully grown up in the digital world and barely remembers a time before smartphones were even a thing – they are Generation Z.

Similar to Millennials there are lots of myths and stereotypes surrounding the newest generation, Gen Z. Whereas Baby Boomers are said to be the most hard-working and have perhaps contributed most to the long-term success of the economy, Gen Z are perceived as the complete opposite. Being lazy, unambitious and spoiled are common misconceptions about these young adults whose upbringing was immersed in digitalization, smartphones and the internet.

 

But you can’t have your cake and eat it! These deep-rooted prejudices must surely be eradicated since this world has profited enormously from digitalization and the new technologies linked to Gen Z. Finding fast and easy ways to communicate, creating political awareness and being the most entrepreneurial generation to exist are the great accomplishments of our youngest generation. 

What’s more, we are said to be lazy when in reality the concept of ‘hard work’ has expanded and taken on a slightly different meaning. Whereas a job where physically demanding work is required was the norm for most Baby Boomers, this perception has changed among Millennials and Gen Z. “Work smart not hard” is therefore the new motto, and physically tiring work has been replaced by jobs that often include digitalization and use of the internet, which bring in the same amount of money.

Ultimately people who are older need to understand and accept that differences between generations, their different backgrounds and stages of life, are normal and even necessary, and if we all focus on being more of a generational thinker, it will help bridge the generational divide, to the benefit of everyone. 

(Recreation of this picture a couple of years later as a present to my mother)