Creating a Personality-Based Workplace for Gen Z

As the young generation Z is stepping into the workplace, employers and HR practitioners are asking themselves what is the best way to onboard this new cohort of personalities. Remember, many of these youngsters are experiencing a workplace environment for the first time, and one which doesn’t match their personality may result in a longer adjustment period or maybe even a mental block. Utilize DISC reports during the hiring process to warm up the workplace environment for new Gen Z employees.

Here are some guidelines for welcoming the four main Gen Z personality styles into the workforce and how they would cooperate in the office at their best:

The Team Captain

The “D” personality style was born to be a leader, and you can try to convince them otherwise at your own risk. Keep in mind, since their early years in school, they probably were team captains and don’t mind taking the lead. In fact, they crave a position in which they are responsible and in-charge. This personality works at their best when they are under pressure and they always find comfort in being busy and having more than enough to do. They know how to prioritize projects and get things done quickly. You may not be eager to task them on a management position from the start, as this will cause conflict with older generations, but you will want to assign them as many responsibilities as they’re willing to take on. Not only will this boost their enthusiasm, it will also warm them up towards the team to feel they are an important part of the progress. Be aware, if they are working with slower-paced personalities, they might end up becoming impatient and doing everything by themselves.

The Social Butterfly

Second to feeling liked by his coworkers, diversity in a job role is most important for the “I” personality style to thrive, as they don’t enjoy being stuck in a routine. These social butterflies grew up mostly surrounded by their social media fans, which has amplified their need to be socially accepted in the workplace. If the previous generations used the 5-minute mandatory break for team bonding, now get ready for the mandatory social media check. “I” styles are highly creative too. Introduce them to a new marketing project, let them attend brainstorming meetings, and be around and collaborate with people in general. They are friendly and feel safer in big crowds. Be nice to them and let them check their Instagram account every once in a while, and they will warm up to their new job in no time.

The Cheerleader

The “S” personality isn’t one to stand up and raise her voice, even in chaotic situations. Just like cheerleaders, “S” styles prefer to stay in their secure group of close-knit co-workers where they feel free to bounce ideas off each other, share the latest workplace memes or popular dances, and show off their latest family and friend photos. They find safety in numbers, steadiness and routine. Members of the “S” group don’t like change, so try to make the workplace atmosphere fun and friendly by freshening it up with current and aesthetically pleasing decor. They’ll notice the effort you’re putting in to make their work environment feel like their home away from home, and will truly appreciate it.

The Know-It-All

When the “C” personality sees something done incorrectly, they are prone to correct whomever they feel is in the wrong. They are the type of people who join group chats, scouring messages but almost never respond unless they can provide their expertise on a particular topic. Similar to the “D” personality, they often prefer to work alone because only they know the right way to do their job, and working with other people who don’t live up to their quality expectations would only slow them down. They like to analyze everything, and they look at the systematic statistics before they consider other influences. Every detail in the workplace won’t be overlooked by them. This compliant personality doesn’t really care about most of the overdone trends and social media, so they will serve as the “anchor of reality” for everybody among the new Gen Z workers. They just need things to be organized, challenging, and precise.

Just like with cooking, everything turns out better when you put some love into it. Adjusting to the way the new generation works will ensure to preserve the love and positive outlook of everyone in the company. Generation Z is the beginning of a bright new future, and even though they might seem a little out of place for the ones who don’t understand them just yet, they are meant to do great things under the right leadership and personality approach. Assessing the range of generations in your business with the DISC assessment and then reviewing the group as a whole with a Group Dynamics Report can help everyone get on the same page in understanding each other for an effective adjustment to new generations in the workplace.