‘GenZ – Empowering a Paradigm Shift in Human Evolution’

‘GenZ – Empowering a Paradigm Shift in Human Evolution’

Many from the earlier generations, in particular GenX and Millennials have been seen criticising the GenZ in areas of accountability, misbehaviour, responsibility and efficiency. In general, it has been seen that almost every time the senior generations have been critical of their next generation but this time the noise of disapproval has been the loudest against the new age kids, viz., the GenZ. To be honest, not all of that is said is wrong but as always most of it is due to a lack of understanding and a significant communication gap between the concerned.

The New-age generation

GenZ is the most promising generation of humanity ever and this rising conflict will take no one anywhere. They are blessed with living in the ICE Age – the age of Information, Communication and Entertainment. There is an urgent need that we need to understand why these kids do what they do and how we as elders can collaborate with the next generation and help them grow and materialise the promise of human growth and sustenance as times change.

GenZ teams are making the human society rethink and redesign the way we look at life and make it smoother and more efficient. Undeniably, this is the paradigm shift in perspective that humanity needs desperately, else we will all be stuck in this slow, stereotyped and redundant matrix and not grow as a species.

Whenever humanity has broken shackles those times have been uncomfortable. But then, when we look back we see a significant social and material development of the human society.

Although the perspectives that GenZ carry look difficult to adjust to and much of it can be dangerous also for them and for the society at large but seniors need to show the maturity here so that the bridges of communication and relationship are not burnt. Only when mutual respect is present will a positive communication can enable the necessary balance.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence

GenZ has also found a natural and comfortable sync with Artificial Intelligence. This has its benefits and concerns which GenZ need to be extremely careful about. To maximise the benefits of AI it has to be used as an employee. The overwhelming concern although is that AI is taking control over human brilliance which the new age kids need to be extremely mindful about and take the necessary control back and use AI to create personal effectiveness and a prosperous ecosystem. AI’s potential ability to compromise integrity is also a potential time bomb for the maintenance of social balance.

Dealing with conflict

1. Meaningful communication – Sitting most of the time inside the virtual media, whether it is the mobile phone or laptop or the idiot box, absence of meaningful communication is obvious among all. It is important to analyse where it all started before pointing fingers on any side.
2. Empathy – It clearly looks that there is a sizeable conflict the seniors seem to have with the new age kids. So, as with any conflict management strategy, seniors need to empathise with the mind of GenZ as well as take note of the changing global ecosystem and social patterns – at home and work.
3. The ICE tools available with GenZ along with AI is an opportunity of transformation for all of us. The fact that they can do their work in less than half time than their elders calls for appreciation and not jealousy. This is our opportunity to guide them and showing them the bigger picture so that the lack of accountability and silly mistakes are taken care of.
4. Face value – Young minds always want to be treated on face value instead of being measured on the basis of stereotypes and biases. The moment you judge anyone, you are off the hook from the mind of the stakeholder. If we think control and anger (dominance) will work, well we are showing our immaturity.
5. Self-analysis – Psychology says we deal with others from the vantage point of our own self-worth. So probably the members of the senior generation have to do an honest analysis on the inside and find the reason we are not able to find a meaningful connect with youngsters.

To conclude

I have always said this – If GenZ was a stock, I would invest all my money in that stock; albeit with a horizon of 25 years; in the short term the volatility can be higher hence the risk !!

It can only be through a transformative thought process that we can evolve towards a better future and the empowered youth is enforcing this paradigm shift in human thinking. We all need to support their new way of looking at the world and life and collaborate with each other so that there is mutual benefit for all of us at large.

But being fair to the seniors who have been brought up in a very compartment type life with endless boundaries, the pressure for them to adjust to a sudden change of this quantum is difficult to fathom and adjust to. So to give credit to the seniors, it is the GenX and Millennials who brought the necessary ingredients to make this generation called GenZ and the upcoming Gen Alphas bold and creative. They gave all the necessary freedom and the fertile ground for the new kids be what they are today.

Due to that, the shift in perspective has been so swift that the point of view of seniors is understandable. But we need to keep the communication with GenZ open and show them respect to earn it back so that we can live together happily ever after..

Surely the human society will be quite different in the next two decades – hopefully for the best !!