FINAL WORD
THEY RECOGNISE GEN Z VALUES LIFE BALANCE MORE THAN AMBITION .
to change the world , I don ’ t see how they can , and neither will their hourly employees . The mission statement is out of proportion to the work being done . Delighting a customer with a frozen treat is wonderful . It ’ s even important . But it ’ s not going to change the world . Speaking in those terms may lose you credibility with less trusting Gen Zers and prevent you from legitimately inspiring them with the work they actually do .
In the above example , you could use a toneddown version of the mission statement , such as : “ We use frozen custard to create moments of joy .” The new statement is still aspirational and it communicates the why behind the work . It reminds employees they ’ re doing more than serving frozen dessert . But it ’ s also grounded in the work they ’ re actually doing . That ’ s the real function of a mission statement – to connect the work being done with a higher purpose . Help your employees be proud of what they do without pretending they ’ re doing more .
It ’ s also important to ground your stated values . So often they ’ re way too abstract to be meaningful . Are you sure your young employees know what you want when you preach ‘ integrity ’? Do they know what it looks like when demonstrated ? Make your values more tangible for them . For each value you have , come up with a list of behaviours , essentially dos and don ’ ts that reflect that value . For integrity you might say :
• We always tell the truth
• We follow through on our commitments
• We admit our mistakes
These specific agreements reflect the value but are easier to understand . It also makes it easier to hold employees accountable .
Describe your mission , values and culture in a way that ’ s meaningful for your inside team . If they understand and connect to these higher principles , their work will have more impact for the outside world .
You may not believe it ’ s possible to build a strong , reliable team of Gen Z employees . I sympathise , but I can ’ t ignore the results I ’ ve gotten or those of the many diverse employers I ’ ve observed . They ’ ve proven it ’ s possible . You can transform your team from your biggest challenge into your greatest asset . But only if you ’ re willing to provide them with the greatest management .
Scott Greenberg ’ s new book is called Stop the Shift Show : Turn Your Struggling Hourly Workers Into a Top-Performing Team . x
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