Member Article

AI to Gen Z: Trends shaping workplace culture

The workplace has undergone significant change over recent years, with technology, employment priorities and societal shifts all contributing to a transformed landscape. Here, Ivan Hollingsworth, founder and director of Centric Consultants, shares the emerging trends businesses must be aware of and the measures they must take to deliver tangible action.

Tech-driven human connection
The advancements and widespread adoption of generative artificial intelligence will mean a drop in mundane, repetitive tasks for some teams.

While this is a positive opportunity to focus on creativity, innovation and being truly human, leaders must be aware it will leave some colleagues questioning their purpose.

Leaders should embrace advancements in technology as a chance to free up space in their teams for real human connection, creativity and big conversations, and pivot their role into being a ‘culture curator’, rather than a micromanager.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Most organisations will say they are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion, and we are starting to see an increase in more diverse voices around the table.

Leaders must get comfortable with the fact that some conversations will be uncomfortable.

An equitable workplace goes beyond hiring a diverse range of people and instead looks at how to create a safe and inclusive environment – and listens to feedback.

Challenges outside of work
Resilience is a word that has been increasingly used to put down a person or group who aren’t conforming to a modern-day false narrative of how we need to be brave or
bulletproof.

Asking your team to be resilient in the face of challenges such as the cost of living crisis, family break-ups and childcare issues doesn’t help anyone, and leaders should focus on creating supportive and understanding environments that help people bounce back.

Driving business evolution
Culture no longer sits in a silo headed up by a ‘culture champion’ who plans after-work events.

Culture has shifted to being the domain of all leaders and an integral part of business change strategy.

Generational power balance
Gen Z isn’t coming, it is already here.

Millennials are now well into their 30s and 40s, with many moving into senior or established management roles.

And this new generation has different expectations when it comes to communication, workplace culture and hierarchical team dynamics. 

Organisations need to create environments that stimulate connection, provide meaningful feedback and encourage open communication.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .