Tailoring leadership training for #GenZ

I received a question on my previous post about tailoring leadership training for #GenZ, and what they might value or expect from leadership programs. I think it’s worthy of a more fulsome response.

Gen Z, those born from the mid-to-late 1990s through the early 2010s, have unique expectations and values that set them apart from previous generations. When it comes to leadership development programs, there are several aspects they might particularly value:

1. Digital Savvy: Gen Z has been exposed to technology from an early age, so they expect their leadership development programs to be tech-friendly, with elements of e-learning, virtual reality, gamification, and social media integrated.
2. Personalized Learning: They value personalization and flexibility. Thus, they would appreciate programs that allow them to customize their learning experience according to their interests and career goals.
3. Diversity and Inclusion: Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history and values inclusivity highly. They would want their programs to talk about diversity and inclusion and actively incorporate these values in their content and structure.
4. Entrepreneurship Opportunities: A significant portion of Gen Z has aspirations of starting their own businesses, so they would value programs that help develop entrepreneurial skills and foster innovative thinking.
5. Sustainability and Social Impact: Gen Z cares deeply about social and environmental issues. They would appreciate programs that help them learn how to positively impact society and the environment.
6. Mentorship and Coaching: Gen Z values guidance and feedback from people who have "been there, done that." A program that offers robust mentorship or coaching components would be attractive to them.
7. Practical Experience: Gen Z highly values real-world, hands-on learning experiences. They would appreciate programs that allow them to apply what they've learned in practical scenarios, such as internships, job rotations, or project-based learning.
8. Transparency and Authenticity: They want honest, authentic leadership and clear communication. Programs that promote these values and teach how to embody them in leadership roles will be highly valued.
9. Resilience and Mental Health: Gen Z has grown up in a time of rapid change and global crises. Leadership programs that build resilience, promote emotional intelligence, and support mental health will resonate with them.
10. Collaborative Learning: Gen Z values collaborative environments where they can learn from their peers as much as from their mentors. Leadership programs that foster a sense of community and encourage group work and brainstorming will be appreciated.
11. Continuous Learning: They grew up in a time of rapid technological advancement, which has made them understand the importance of continuous learning. Leadership development programs that provide continuous learning opportunities, like follow-up courses, refresher classes, or ongoing education, will be appreciated.
12. Skills for the Future: With the rapid pace of change in today's workplace, Gen Z is likely to value programs that not only focus on current leadership principles but also prepare them for the future, teaching them about things like AI, automation, remote work, and other emerging trends.

The key for leadership development programs will be to stay adaptable and responsive to these changing values and expectations.

#LeadershipDevelopment #AuthenticLeadership #DigitalLearning #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact