The days of the traditional career ladder may be numbered as Generation Z enters the workplace and quietly reshapes what “success at work” looks like.
According to a recent Harris Poll reported by Forbes, 57% of Gen Z workers maintain a side hustle. This is more than any generation before them: 48% of Millennials, 31% of Gen X, and just 21% of Boomers.
Alastair Greener, a keynote speaker, podcast host and forthcoming author of Generationally Speaking – How to Bridge the Generation Gap and Communicate with Confidence, believes this marks a cultural shift in how young people think about work.
“Gen Z aren’t just taking part in the gig economy,” says Alastair. “They’re redefining professional identity. They want flexibility and fulfilment alongside financial reward. For them, side hustles are a way to balance passion with pragmatism, independence with income.”
Drawing on numerous conversations on his Alastair Greener – Generationally Speaking podcast and extensive research for his new book, Alastair says every generation is shaped by the era they grew up in. Gen Z’s working lives have already been framed by instability, including the pandemic, the rapid rise of AI and soaring living costs.
“The rest of us have to adapt,” he says. “Gen Z is here to stay, so the question is how organisations can respond.”Here are his three recommendations for leaders:
1- Hire and onboard with honesty
“It’s crucial to have open conversations from the start. Prospective employees and employers both need to be clear about expectations, and that honesty should continue through onboarding so Gen Z employees feel supported.”
2- Feedback matters
“Feedback came up again and again in my surveys. Different generations expect it in different ways, but for Gen Z it’s vital that it feels supportive rather than micromanaging. A structured but flexible approach makes all the difference.”
3- Communicate across channels
“Each generation communicates differently. Using a variety of platforms helps organisations reach their teams effectively. The bigger point, though, is culture. A culture that values development and curiosity encourages people to learn from each other across generations.”
For Alastair, this shift is part of a much bigger picture. “Every generation brings change,” he says. “What we’re seeing with Gen Z is just the next wave of workplace evolution. The challenge is to stop resisting it and start embracing it.”
Alastair Greener’s book Generationally Speaking – How to Bridge the Generation Gap and Communicate with Confidence is available to pre-order now on Amazon. His Alastair Greener – Generationally Speaking podcast is available on all major platforms. For more information, visit www.generationallyspeaking.co.uk