Hi Zee. Welcome to adulting.
You've inherited a dumpster fire of a work world where we're all still pretending the systems make sense. Let's chat about it.
Oh hi Gen Zed. Gen Zee? Can I call you Zee?
I’m going to call you Zee. Partly because it feels less formal, and partly because after spending the last few years as an observer to the absolute clusterfuck of a workplace you inherited, I feel we’re on a first name basis.
For awhile I debated writing this as a book, but it turns out this conversation doesn’t want to be contained like that. It wants needs to be ongoing. So I’m writing it here instead. A series of letters, to you, about why work is the way it is. One day I hope we can collaborate on how to change the way work, works for everyone….
I see this is a bit of a social trend right now. Young people sharing videos about how the thought of spending decades working a traditional 9-to-5 is really ruining their 5-9.
I’m a fractional executive. Sounds fancy, right? When people ask me what that actually means, I usually pause, because the answer depends entirely on who is asking.
Do they micromanage and send emails at 11:43 PM? Schedule meetings that could have been a Slack message? Ask for your thoughts and then ignore them completely? I've met that boss. Truthfully, I've probably been that boss.
I think perhaps the divide between generations is most visible between Boomers and Gen Z, and I think it’s important to understand why.
You inherited a world of permanent stimulation, endless information and always-on work. While very convenient, it's also kind of crappy.
You seem to have pivoted to a career lattice and now you're building a life that says 'screw the corporate ladder'.
I'm not talking about in the 'birds and the bees' sense. More like, why do we work at all? Spoiler alert, it's because of the farmer.
I was looking for a full-time job before starting MatterBetter and it was a pretty demoralizing process.
Since this isn't a problem we can figure out overnight, I should explain why you should listen to me all.
You've inherited a dumpster fire of a work world where we're all still pretending the systems make sense. Let's chat about it.
Career Evolution
I know, it sounds like a silly question, but seriously. Are you actually comfortable completely disconnecting from work? Or do you remain somewhat "available" to potential fires, answering Slack messages from a beach chair while pretending you’re relaxing?
I see this is a bit of a social trend right now. Young people sharing videos about how the thought of spending decades working a traditional 9-to-5 is really ruining their 5-9.
You seem to have pivoted to a career lattice and now you're building a life that says 'screw the corporate ladder'.
I'm not talking about in the 'birds and the bees' sense. More like, why do we work at all? Spoiler alert, it's because of the farmer.
I was looking for a full-time job before starting MatterBetter and it was a pretty demoralizing process.
Generations
Do they micromanage and send emails at 11:43 PM? Schedule meetings that could have been a Slack message? Ask for your thoughts and then ignore them completely? I've met that boss. Truthfully, I've probably been that boss.
I think perhaps the divide between generations is most visible between Boomers and Gen Z, and I think it’s important to understand why.
Changing Technology
You inherited a world of permanent stimulation, endless information and always-on work. While very convenient, it's also kind of crappy.
Why Gen Z?
I’m a fractional executive. Sounds fancy, right? When people ask me what that actually means, I usually pause, because the answer depends entirely on who is asking.
Since this isn't a problem we can figure out overnight, I should explain why you should listen to me all.
You've inherited a dumpster fire of a work world where we're all still pretending the systems make sense. Let's chat about it.
I know, it sounds like a silly question, but seriously. Are you actually comfortable completely disconnecting from work? Or do you remain somewhat "available" to potential fires, answering Slack messages from a beach chair while pretending you’re relaxing?