03-26-2024
The BBC dove into how generally laid-back Gen Z has been navigating their entry into the workplace. Part of that navigation includes their generational language, which tends to be less formal. In one example, the BBC wrote about a young woman who worked for a hedge fund team. According to the woman, the boss said her "casual language and informal manner undermined her credibility." She did not take the criticism seriously — until her manager fired her. The manager attributed her job termination to a "lack of professionalism," including her use of the words "like" and "totally." She did not come across as intelligent from that manager's perspective. In her interview with BBC, the woman noted that everyone her age talks that way.
Every new generation faces criticism from the older generations. However, some experts assert the older generations' objections to Gen Z's work language go beyond the usual, reflecting how much has changed over the last couple of years. With the post-pandemic rise of remote work and its accompanying mix of personal and professional lives, less formal work environments continue to evolve. A Boston University professor asserts Gen Z values authenticity and self-expression, so adhering to someone else's standards, even at work, seems fake. But, many employers still want employees who present in a way that aligns with their work culture.
Experts point to Gen Z's social media upbringing as the reason why their demeanor is very different. One-third of people under 30 get their news from TikTok. Communication styles on TikTok and other visual platforms are significantly more casual and do not expose viewers to traditional professional communication styles. A 2018 Harvard Business Review study showed that “weak executive presence and poor communication style are the two most critical factors that can stall career progress.” Yet, many workplaces are less formal now, including language use. Senior leaders will have to recognize that language conventions change. As Baby Boomers and Gen X give way to different generational leaders, a more casual tone may take over.