Commitment in the work place (Part 2) - The peter pan syndrome.

     

     Like I spoke about in the previous blog, the commitment issues that the younger generations have been said to have, also extends into the workplace. We have also been branded as the work-shy generation with a "snowflake" tendency. Gallup says 60% of Millennials and Gen Z are open to new job opportunities. On the good side, we've been seen as tech-savvy and high achievers.

we are also the generation with inspiring new ideas that will revolutionize the workplace and human interaction as we know it

      
     So what exactly is the peter pan syndrome and how does it relate to our generation, in the workplace peter pan syndrome can be said to be an unwillingness to work or stay working when you don't feel like or are not motivated. If you're only willing to work hard when you feel like, you won't feel like it often enough. Working hard or like I prefer to call it, working smart must be something you do; it's not a decision to make, It's foundational: believing that productivity and smart work is core to the life well-lived. Wikipedia describes the peter pan syndrome as an inability to behave like an adult when you're one. We're talking in all aspects of life from careers to politics, our generation does not just seem to get attached to any one thing, idea, or group.

        So what are some problems the younger generation faces in the workplace and how can we go about solving it? 

1. Overconfidence 

    Confidence is a good quality to have in the workplace, but overconfidence perceived as arrogance and can ruin your reputation, we tend to overestimate our abilities and knowledge in the workplace, which the older generation find very irritating. We have so much to bring to the table as we are more technologically inclined and we can sort true data a lot faster because we are bombarded every day of our lives with information from the internet, but we also have to acknowledge that the older generations have more experience, as they have more years in the job than we do. as long as we can keep our confidence reasonably in check and meet expectations with a sense of humility, our accomplishments would start to speak for themselves.

2.choice of communication 

                      

      We younger generation prefer textbase forms of communication over voice-based forms as it is more convenient, It gives us enough time to articulate our thoughts and not to mention leaving a paper trail. However, we need to recognize that not everyone likes to communicate through texts, emails, or social media. We also need to acknowledge that phone calls have advantages over the previously mentioned mediums. it won't hurt to show a little flexibility.

3. Taking business casual to a whole new level 

     Okay, I can say I am personally guilty of this, as I would rather spend all day in a T-shirt and sweat pants. with the new technological advancements and definition of sophistication. work schedules are more flexible, etiquette is becoming looser and dress codes have become casual. reliance on old fashion business ways has drastically reduced. but it isn't an opportunity to take things overboard.

4. Multitasking 

       We grew up with technology that provides information for us as when we want, we work fast and think fast. which makes us very productive and indigenous. This high pace lures the need to multitask as we want to accomplish a million things at the same time. but multitasking is efficient when doing light tasks, when it comes to deep learning and deep thinking, multitasking proves to ineffective. and it reduces our attention span. Increasing your attention span is a skill that is learned over time and multitasking disrupts that.

5. staying plugged in 

      We spend most of our time on social media, we are more technology-reliant than the older generations, as technology has a lot of advantages, but balance is important in life, as too much of everything is not good, staying plugged in for too long is not good as gives the perception that we a technology addicts to older co-workers. walk away from your computer once a while, leave your Ipads behind for that important meeting, try not to check your phones during a conversation. 

   The truth is, some differences set us apart from the older generations. this doesn't mean we are bad workers, it just means we are different and we work differently. Acknowledging those differences and making compromises would enable a workplace with peaceful cohabitation. it can also help you adjust to your job and give a better impression of yourself to the people in charge.