Global risk management and insurance brokerage group Marsh’s CEO for Hong Kong and Macau, Richard Roper, has compiled his 30 years of workplace experience into a document titled “Dad’s Workplace Advice” to gift to his two daughters as they enter the workforce.
Roper, a father of three, has daughters who belong to the cusp and the heart of Generation Z, while his youngest child is part of the Alpha generation. Generation Z refers to young individuals born approximately between 1997 and 2012, commonly known as “digital natives”.
In September, he attended the Fortune Leadership Forum and shared 10 pieces of advice with his daughters. He stated, “Many of these secrets are fundamental workplace etiquette that has become increasingly rare today. Maintaining enthusiasm, treating others with respect, respecting supervisors… and creating value in every meeting. These may sound quite old-fashioned, but they are essential interpersonal skills between individuals.”
While Generation Z workers have mastered programming with AI, making presentations, and organizing data, employers consistently have a complaint about this new generation of employees: a lack of basic interpersonal communication skills. Schools have taught them typing and programming, but have not educated them on how to speak up in meetings.
Orianna Rosa Royle, Deputy Editor of the Fortune Career Achievements section, noted, “Employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find enough soft skills among Generation Z newcomers. Employers repeatedly point out that these young new employees do not know how to interact with colleagues or clients, lack the ability to work with those holding different opinions, and even lack an understanding of basic office etiquette, such as appropriate attire for work.”
The Harris Poll found that one-fifth of young job seekers bring their parents along for interviews; they also struggle when explaining their abilities for the job and negotiating salaries with employers.
Studies show that Generation Z acknowledges that interpersonal communication is a major challenge in the workplace. 65% of Generation Z workers do not know what to talk about with colleagues; for young people who entered the workforce post-pandemic, initiating conversations with colleagues is even more difficult.
Royle pointed out that landing a job has become more challenging nowadays; fundamental skills like punctuality, politeness, and speaking up in meetings could give young people a competitive edge. Some companies choose to dismiss employees who are unprepared, while others offer workplace etiquette courses and soft skills training to help employees enhance their abilities, including teaching them how to speak up in meetings at the right time.
(1) As long as you think one step ahead and put in a little extra effort than others, it’s not difficult to stay ahead and standout.
(2) Stay positive, enthusiastic, punctual, and polite. In the workplace, attitude is always more important than ability.
(3) Find a career you love, and every day ahead will no longer feel like just “working”.
(4) Think about what your supervisors need and proactively solve problems for them, making work easier until one day you become a supervisor yourself.
(5) First impressions matter, whether in interviews, initial days on the job, or during meetings. Achieve a small success early on to build a positive image and reputation as the “new girl”.
(6) Build a network in the workplace; treat colleagues who are in lower positions or at the same level with kindness because one day, you will need their help.
(7) Dare to try different things until you find a job you truly enjoy.
(8) No one feels fully prepared when being promoted. Take on new roles first, and learn on the job.
(9) Freedom is important; don’t spend all day at your desk. Arrange your work content, sequence, and time on your own, do what you want to do, and work will feel much more comfortable.
(10) Some jobs, even with similar efforts, pay significantly differently. For example, salaries in investment banks and consulting firms are usually high, while those in teaching and nursing are relatively low. However, salary level does not determine a person’s social value; it mainly reflects the market and how much companies are willing to pay for a particular job. So, choose a job that makes you happy and suits you best.
This article was referenced from a report by Fortune.