Whether you have kids or not, you’re going to want to tune into this interview with Amber Johansen, Executive Director of First Priority Tampa Bay. Our discussion is centered around our experience working with tomorrow’s leaders, today’s teens.

There is something unique about those who make up this culture, Generation Z. Generally speaking, Gen Z is composed of those born between 1996 and 2010 and are true digital natives. They have been exposed to the internet, to social networks, and to smart phones their entire lives. Gen Z is a hypercognitive generation and extremely comfortable with researching and collecting data from many sources all at the same time. To them, the integration of virtual and offline experiences is the norm.

A recent study reveals [RL1]four core Gen Z behaviors, all anchored in one element: this generation’s search for truth. In contrast, the previous generation—the millennials, got its start in an era of economic prosperity and focuses on themselves. While Millennials will tend to be more idealistic, confrontational, and less willing to accept diverse points of view, Gen Zers value individual expression and want to avoid being labeled and labeling others.

GEN Z INFLUENCE: 

• The Great Recession
• ISIS
• Sandy Hook
• Obama
• Rise of Populism

GEN Z TRAITS: 

• They’re in Search of Truth
• They value freedom of Expression
• They are Open to Understanding Differences in People 

GEN Z VIEWS: 

• Money: Live Life Pragmatically.
• Education: Necessary Investment.
• Management: We’re Good There is a Lot of Dialogue, With no Confrontation 

[RL1]The study is mentioned here:  https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies…influenced all of the Gen Z area Also, refenced these: http://www.millennialmarketing.com/2018/03/the-birth-years-of-millennials-and-generation-z/https://www.forbes.com/sites/deeppatel/2017/09/21/8-ways-generation-z-will-differ-from-millennials-in-the-workplace/#435f25a376e5https://www.pewresearch.org/topics/generations-and-age/