Every new org I’m contracted in, I will stumble across one or a few Gen Z colleagues suggesting that their world sucks because of Boomers. I don’t know if they mean housing, plastic straws, Red Lobster, or something. Maybe what they say is true. I don’t know. I think us Millendials have become numb to what sucks for them. It probably does suck but I feel we bear some responsibility for messing up stuff too. My thought is we destroyed the tech industry for Gen Z.
Think about it. Millennials didn’t build SAP in the 80’s or 90’s. Wait, when did SAP come out?Whatever. We’re the ones teaching Gen Z interns how to navigate a platform that looks like it hasn’t had a design update since Windows 95. The truth is, we know it sucks and we became the default middle managers of technology for every cohort. We were the first generation to grow up with dial-up internet and then step into workplaces with cloud stacks, and we’ve been duct-taping old and new systems together all while trying to increase revenue..
I had a moment of self reflection today after a Gen Z colleague came into my office less than eager leading her first feature launch. Her face said it all, she hates it and she’s not having fun. Her direct manager (Gen X) was also in my office saying she should show some enthusiasm because it’s a big deal. She rolled her eyes and sighed at himwhile in my office. “Excuse me”, I said. Surprised by her response. I asked her what’s wrong.
She said, ”nothing. I know the KPI’s I need to hit.” and she walked out of my office.
Her manager and I were both stunned. I hired this manager 5 months ago so he’s still new and he was visibly bothered. However, I wasn’t too bothered because she had her eyes on the prize. Haha.
I won’t front, my job and everyone on my team trickled down is focused on monetizing. I make it crystal clear what our financial goals are. And when my entire operating culture is focused that way, there isn’t a lot of authenticity in the work. I know this. Tech is not innovative and fun like it was for my cohort. I think Gen Z sees tech in a dreaded way like I did when I worked in our family’s seafood warehouse – just another salmon that needs to be filleted. I hire people knowing this. I actually don’t value the eager candidate who wants to be disruptive and transformative. It’s just not the culture in this company. I didn’t make it this way, it’s the way it always has been even before my arrival.
Unfortunately there’s not a lot of companies today who operate the way we did back in the 2000’s that offer a clear big picture from the work that we did. My leaders either don’t know or don’t care that all young people want authenticity in their work, not just Gen Z.
I believe in the value but I think the millennial cohort are not in a position to change the operating culture. Myself included. As a result, I may care about authenticity but I have to project the hustle comes first.
Maybe my younger team members would feel different and be more understanding if I shared or explained innerworking and shit I deal with cleaning up the mess after our Boomer overlords above. But that would be too authentic and serve more trouble than benefit.
Yeah, it’s ultimately the Boomers at fault. Let’s go with that.
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