Does your company’s five year plan include Gen Z?

Yes, we’re raising them, but what on earth will they be like to manage? And how will we feel about it when they’re managing us? Gen Z was born starting in the mid-1990s, but they think big. My business colleague and friend has a son who is 10 and actively trying to contact Hollywood directors about his screen play. My son is contacting Lego about his dream job; he’s including pictures and a guess at his salary.

I know, you might be reading this and thinking, “I’m still adjusting to Gen Y.” Or, if you’re a Gen Y, you might be thinking, “Oh, Gen Z. They’re so spoiled. How can I be expected to work with them?” Actually, I know that’s what some of you Gen Ys are thinking (admit it) because during the course of a day I’m bound to talk to a young Gen Y manager who is resentful of the “coasting” of younger siblings or friends.

It will also be interesting to see older Gen Ys managing younger Gen Ys – that age group is so brutally honest and authentic (somewhat due to its use of technology putting them center stage) that I can’t imagine they’ll mince a lot of words. Tribe’s research has found that Gen Y “weeds out” leaders and teammates who aren’t team players without any interference from upward management.

And, I guess that’s part of the reason I’m starting to take a look at Gen Z – to see what can be applied that we’ve learned from Gen Y. If you’re in a position to hire, then here are five reasons to plan for Gen Z:

• If you hire teens, they could be in your workforce now or in the next few years. Gen Z tops out at age 15, so they’re on the brink of employment.
• If this is their first job, then you’ll need to train them from square one.  Especially when you hire teens, you’ve got to work with the raw material. Your open position could be their first foray into employment.
• If you want the best and the brightest, then prepare to compete for them. Cross our fingers, this generation will enter a robust economy, so they’ll be a generation with more options than Gen Y found in 2009
• If your company has a five year plan, then hopefully recruiting is part of it, and Gen Z will be in the picture. Companies already investing in Gen Z include NASA, GE and Siemens.

If one of your business goals uses the word “innovation,” then you’ll need Gen Z on your team to help you see what’s next.