By Darren Micallef
EverAspire Coaching


As leaders, understanding the challenges of guiding the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, can be difficult. The obstacles offered by their distinct features, such as increased activism, conflict avoidance, and a strong desire for emotional support, necessitate a comprehensive approach. In this article, we'll look at the challenges Gen Z encounters in the modern workplace, the need of empathy in leadership, and how engaging with a competent leadership coach can help you mentor and lead this dynamic generation.

Understanding the shift in Work Dynamics:

According to a presentation by The BrandSpike, the younger generation, has a very different outlook on work than prior generations. Unlike the days of church-based purpose and neighbourhood camaraderie, the workplace has transformed into a one-stop shop for purpose, community, and social life. The conventional notion of devotion, represented by the gold watch, has given way to an expectation that the job serves numerous functions, including activism, therapy, and emotional expression.

The Cry for Empathy

Empathy emerges as the foundation for good leadership in this situation. Leaders must put themselves in the shoes of Generation Z and comprehend the specific difficulties they encounter while dealing with stress, confrontation, and emotional development. The call for emotional professionalism, which encourages putting one's entire self to work while preserving professional boundaries, becomes a hard balance for leaders to strike.

Generation Z Struggles: A Call for Leadership Coaching

Gen Z's difficulties are not a result of incompetence, but rather of growing up in a world dominated by social media, the internet, and shifting parenting techniques. They may lack skills in confrontation avoidance, stress management, and emotional maturity. Leadership coaching becomes a strategic tool for leaders who want to bridge the gap.

Consider a scenario in which a Gen Z employee, rather than addressing discontent with their employment, chooses to depart abruptly, leaving the organization in a position to recruit and retrain, costing valuable time and money . A leadership coach may assist leaders in identifying the fundamental problem and developing ways to foster an environment that encourages open communication, minimizing the likelihood of conflict avoidance.

Workplaces have altered over time.  As previously stated, rather than connecting with someone through a church group or a neighbour, employees seek out empathetic individuals who become their go-to source for emotional support. This leads employee burnout. A leadership coach can help leaders set boundaries, allowing them to emotionally assist their team without jeopardizing their own well-being.

The Role of a Leadership Coach:

A leadership coach acts as a compass, guiding leaders through the uncharted waters of leading Generation Z. Here are some major ways a leadership coach might provide assistance:

Building Empathy Skills:

Coaches can help leaders build empathy skills and enhance communication by emphasizing empathy and fostering an open culture. Improving a leader's Emotional Intelligence (EI) with tools like EQ-360 can be an effective supplement. EQ-360, a 360-degree feedback tool built exclusively for testing emotional intelligence, enables leaders to obtain feedback from a variety of sources, including peers, subordinates, and supervisors. This complete feedback gives leaders a more nuanced picture of their emotional intelligence strengths and opportunities for progress. 

Communication Enhancement:

Coaches can guide leaders on how to communicate with empathy, ensuring that messages resonate with Gen Z's desire for authenticity and emotional connection. Leaders may need assistance in creating a culture of open communication. Coaches can provide strategies to encourage feedback, questions, and discussions within the team.

Stress Management Techniques:
   
Coaching can involve teaching stress management techniques tailored to the challenges faced by Gen Z. This includes coping with social media pressures, balancing multiple roles, and navigating uncertainties in the workplace.

Setting Appropriate Emotional Boundaries:

Coaches can assist leaders in establishing boundaries that allow for emotional support without compromising their well-being. This is vital for preventing burnout, both for leaders and their teams.

Developing Inclusive Leadership Practices:

Cultural Competence Training: Generation Z is diverse, and coaching can include training on cultural competence to ensure leaders are sensitive to different backgrounds and perspectives.Coaches can guide leaders in creating an inclusive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Adapting Leadership Styles:

As Generation Z's expectations evolve, coaches can help leaders remain flexible and adapt their leadership styles. This involves staying current with trends, technologies, and social dynamics.

Mentoring and Career Development:

Coaches can assist leaders in understanding the career aspirations and development needs of Gen Z, providing guidance on mentorship and career advancement opportunities.

A leadership coach plays a pivotal role in helping leaders navigate the complexities of leading Generation Z by focusing on empathy development, effective communication, stress management, inclusive leadership, adaptability, continuous improvement, and career development strategies.

Leading Generation Z demands leaders to embrace empathy and seek assistance. A leadership coach becomes an invaluable collaborator, providing solutions for bridging the generational divide and creating an inclusive, supportive workplace. Leaders who invest in leadership coaching can develop the skills required to successfully traverse the complexity of leading Generation Z, enabling a work climate in which both leaders and their teams thrive.