Do You Think Generation Z Is the Worst?

Ah, the most common breakup line in history: It's not you...it's me.

But what does that classic line actually mean? Is it someone taking responsibility for being emotionally unavailable? Is it a way to end the relationship without leaving the door open for debate? Or is it simply easier than admitting, "I'm still not over my ex"?

According to a Bustle article, it can mean all of those things. It can be a way to keep things civil, avoid assigning blame, or sidestep a difficult conversation altogether.

In some ways, it's an effective strategy as it prevents the emotional ping-pong match from ever beginning.

"Well, you did x, so I did y."

"Well, if you hadn't done y, I wouldn't have done x."

Now imagine the script is flipped. Instead of saying, It's not you...it's me, someone says, It's not me, it's you, and walks away without another word.

That's the breakup line I think we've been using with Generation Z.

We've decided they're the problem. They are too entitled, too sensitive, too anxious, too disconnected, too addicted to their phones, too lazy, and ultimately, doomed, without ever explaining how we reached that conclusion or inviting them to respond.

Even comedians and influencers have joined in. Corporate Natalie, for example, recently joked about Generation Z's attention span in the workplace by pretending to explain something, while streaming a show on her forehead and handing a mock employee a stress ball.

Every generation has poked fun at the ones that came before and after them.

But are we taking it too far with Generation Z?

I have the unique opportunity to stand in front of classrooms full of young people every week, so I decided to ask them.

I handed out sticky notes and asked my students to write down the stereotypes they've heard about their generation. Their responses mirrored exactly what you'd find in a Google search.

Then I asked:

"Is what people are saying about your generation actually true?"

Most students respond with some version of, "Well...maybe."

I must admit that almost everyone agrees that phone addiction, or, as they put it, "brain rot," is a real problem.

But the response that changed my perspective was:

"It's not that I'm lazy. It's that I'm not being engaged."

This comment makes me appreciate Corporate Natalie's witty take on engaging Generation Z in the workplace. No, I'm not suggesting we start streaming Netflix on our foreheads or handing out stress balls like lollipops. But maybe we could be a little more creative in how we engage Generation Z in the workplace.

The same is true in the classroom. We don't need to do cartwheels or juggle to keep students' attention. We do, however, need to spend more time asking what would actually re-engage them in the learning process and then be willing to adapt.

Unlike the breakup we started this conversation with, there is no walking away from each other. We all have to figure out how to live, learn, and work together.

The workplace is now more age-diverse than ever before, with five generations-Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z-working side-by-side. Despite the headlines that pit one generation against another, we all kinda want the same things out of work.

A Harvard Business Publishing article argues that, regardless of our age, most of us want the same fundamental things: to be helpful, learn, develop our skills, feel valued, be compensated fairly, have job security, and see a path for growth. We also want our work to be meaningful, even if each generation defines meaningful a little differently.

What about living a meaningful and fulfilling life? We all kinda want the same things in life too.  Whether it's the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the Global Flourishing Study, or the World Happiness Report, the ingredients of a good life are consistent across generations. Most of us are looking for meaningful relationships, purpose, a sense of belonging and freedom, financial security, and the chance to contribute something that matters. The way we pursue those things may differ at 20, 30, and 60, but the underlying human needs are nearly identical.

Generation Z isn't the worst. They're just figuring it out. Then again, so is everyone else.

Maybe it's time we stopped breaking up with each other long enough to figure it out together.

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Find one thing that brings you joy.