Step into the modern workplace today and you'll find an intriguing mix of generations; fresh-faced graduates working shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned professionals. Nowhere is this more evident than in the tech industry, where constant disruption has opened doors for young talent to launch their careers alongside established experts.
I was just sitting and listening to the jovial banter of Millennials in the office, as they shared what mattered most to them. They focus most on what matters to them during a specific time frame of their lives. In setting their personal goals, they consciously cultivate goals that support work-life integration.
Our focus in this piece is “Exploring the perspectives and priorities that shape the approach to prioritization through the aspect of goal-setting for male and female tech employees in the 24 - 32 years age group in Kenya.”
How do their mindsets compare to their peers in Africa and the rest of the world?
Let's dive into the research and insights: Let's begin by defining our demographic - the 24 - 32 years age bracket - which offers a unique blend of both youthful energy and maturing experience.
Understanding the Dynamics Between Millenials & Gen Z in Today’s Workplace
The current workforce today encompasses the age range of 24 - 32 year old individuals from both the Millennial generation (born 1981-1996) and Generation Z (born 1997-2012), resulting in a very exclusive blend of traits. This diverse age group embodies the desire for a work-life balance and flexibility that is often associated with Millennials. Unlike previous generations, they prioritize jobs with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, rather than just a means to earn a living. Continuous learning and development opportunities hold great importance for them.
Similarly, Gen Z holds similar values, but they tend to have a more practical and enterprising approach. Having come of age in a time of economic and political uncertainty, Gen Z focuses on attaining financial stability. Growing up in a digital world, they skillfully utilize technology to carve their own way forward in both their personal and professional lives.
An interesting case in point was when one of my Gen Z friends told me all she had in her house was the usual spice condiments (she loves a spicy meal), spaghetti, milk and assorted fruits. Talk about leveraging technology to even plan your meals. She loaded the available ingredients onto an AI app and boom!!!! A technologically prepared meal was proposed, prepared and I must say, one of the best pasta dishes I have tasted to date!
The earlier generations (Gen X, Baby Boomers) placed their family, and community at the forefront of their lives, and these tenets held a significant presence in their lives. In return, family and community reciprocated, especially in times of need, and served as unwavering pillars of support.
Now, let's take a closer look at our dynamic and driven Kenyan tech professionals, who fall within the age range of 24-32. They are a unique blend of traits from both the Millennial and Gen Z generations. They are also heavily influenced by their cultural background and to some extent, where they are raised in multicultural homes, a distinctive persona emerges.
How to Foster a Thriving Culture for Millennials and Gen Z in the Tech Workplace
Given this background, let us delve into the top priorities of these professionals and how they shape their approach to setting and achieving goals in the workplace. Key takeaways fromof how to foster a thriving culture for Millennials and Genz in your startup:
- Prioritizing meaningful work aligned with core values to attract and retain top talent.
- Embracing flexibility and work-life balance to create a conducive work environment.
- Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging innovation and risk-taking.
- Investing in continuous education and skill development to empower employees and drive organizational growth.
- Adopting a collaborative and purpose-driven management approach to maximize employee engagement and productivity.
#1. Offer meaningful work that aligns with their core values.
Millennials and Gen Z are well-known for valuing purpose and fulfilment in their careers. This holds true especially for tech professionals in Kenya as well, who strive to find employers with strong ethics and “golden” opportunities to create a positive impact within the organizations and ecosystems that they hold dear to their hearts.
When it comes to tech roles, these individuals heavily weigh whether the work meets their values before committing. They are a highly mobile workforce, with their personal goals being their driving force. They will not hesitate to join companies, even if solely focused on profit or quick success. This cohort thoroughly researches a potential employer's culture and mission before joining the team. Once on board, they actively seek out projects that allow them to utilize their skills in a meaningful way.
Priority #2: Embrace Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Beyond seeking fulfilment in their careers, technology professionals in Kenya highly value the ability to balance work and personal lives
Working in tech is more and more being viewed as an “elite sector,” given the digital direction that the world is going. This generation has grown up with constant digital connectivity, they aspire to seamlessly blend their work and personal responsibilities. The traditional notion of being tethered to a desk for long, inflexible hours is viewed as outdated and detrimental to mental wellness. (This one is a story for another day.)
In their world, the work should adapt to accommodate family, social connections, and creative interests. Thanks to mobile technology, these professionals can be productive wherever they are. To maximize the output of these Millennials, this desire for fluid work-life integration should be unified into goal-setting processes. Employers who offer options such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, and ample vacation time are more likely to achieve positive outcomes than those who enforce other traditional methods.
#3 Nurture Entrepreneurial Spirit
In the Kenyan ecosystem, having a “side hustle” for these employees cannot be underestimated. Financing a lifestyle, and working to meet personal goals are the driving forces, and the tech space provides this opportunity.
This is a group full of budding entrepreneurs, with more than three-quarters of its members setting their sights on launching their businesses in the future. What's even more impressive is that even those currently in corporate positions are driven by a desire to innovate and create as "intrapreneurs."
In order to retain this valuable talent force, forward-thinking organizations are tapping into their startup DNA - fostering a culture of calculated risk-taking, providing resources for business development, and encouraging "side hustles." Goals focused on building something from 0 to 1 tap into their innate creativity. By assigning dynamic and challenging projects, companies are able to keep these individuals' entrepreneurial spirits engaged and motivated. Furthermore, setting goals centred around building something entirely from scratch taps into their innate creativity and passion.
#4 Encourage Learning & Development
One of our main focuses is the advancement of education and skills training for future success. Despite the common misconception that Millennials are "job hoppers," research shows that their rate of leaving companies is similar to previous generations. However, what sets them apart is their dedication to finding opportunities for personal growth and learning, not just higher salaries. This same priority also applies to Gen Z, who see education and skill-building as a lifelong journey.
As tech-savvy individuals, Kenyan professionals crave constant exposure to new technologies, platforms, and methods of work. With the rapid evolution of technical skills, it is vital for them to continuously update and renew their abilities. Rather than solely relying on traditional classroom education, these individuals also turn to YouTube tutorials, online courses, hackathons, and other forms of self-directed learning to supplement their knowledge.
#5 Adopt a Collaborative and Purpose-Driven Management Approach
To optimize the millennial and Gen Z workforce potential, managers must incorporate employees' growth aspirations into their strategic goals. Managers who create a collaborative, purpose-driven, and adaptable work approach will be a definite bet for any employee in the defined age set. Rather than assigning monotonous tasks, empower your employees by delegating meaningful responsibilities that enhance their skills and knowledge.
Additionally, motivate them to participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and online training resources. Do not forget to offer opportunities for job shadowing and cross-departmental rotations.
By investing in continuous skills development, you not only elevate individual performance but also pave the way for achieving greater organizational objectives. Remember, fostering a culture of ongoing learning is crucial in maintaining top-notch performance.
Developing Innovation Leaders at Impact Africa Network
In conclusion, as we delve into the intricacies of fostering a thriving workplace culture for Gen Z and young Millennials in the African startup ecosystem, it's imperative to highlight the role of initiatives like the Innovation Fellowship program offered at Impact Africa. This program plays a vital role in developing the next generation of innovation leaders. Through 12-month fellowships, talented college graduates are provided with a unique opportunity to work on well-vetted ideas alongside like-minded peers, all while benefiting from the guidance of an experienced leadership team and a global mentor network. By nurturing and empowering young talent through such initiatives, Impact Africa continues to contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the African startup ecosystem, ensuring that the continent remains at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.
