Prepare for the arrival of the Gen Alpha workforce in your business, says Martin Norris, of Realise HR.
Martin says: "Warning: Get ready to feel old.
Generation Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2024, are now only a few short years away from joining the workforce. Digital natives, Gen Alpha have grown up in a world of smartphones, social media, and instant access to information, in a way that’s shaped not only their digital literacy but also their behaviours, perceptions and views about the world. For Gen Alpha, tech adoption starts early, with studies showing that almost half of children in this demographic own or use a tablet prior to six years old. Smartphones? Most children will have a smartphone by the age of ten – the world at their fingertips.
As a millennial, my first phone was a Siemens C35 (Google it). It was great, I could text, talk and store phone numbers, and while a genuinely solid phone for its time, it did little to connect me outside of my immediate family and friendship group. Likewise, I didn’t get a home computer until I was ten years old, and even then, it didn’t have the internet (at least, not at first). I distinctly remember using Microsoft Encarta – that’s a disc-based encyclopaedia – to do homework and watch videos of space shuttles, exotic animals, foreign countries and cultures, things that were so far away from little old me in Belle Vue, Carlisle. It really did feel like a marvel, like you were starting to see this thing called ‘the future’.
Fast forward to Gen Alpha and they have all of this at a click; they see more, they hear more, and it directly effects how they interpret and interact with the world. So, as employers brace for their arrival, it’s essential to understand the unique characteristics that define Gen Alpha and how companies can prepare for the changes they will bring.
Beyond their technological expectations, Gen Alpha place tremendous value on purpose and social impact. As Catherine Nobile, PsyD, the Founder and Director of Nobile Psychology states, “In contrast with preceding generations, Gen Alpha has grown up in a time when global issues are highly visible, multiple viewpoints are frequently aired” and as such they have a heightened awareness of globally pertinent topics such as climate change, social justice, and diversity. More than ever before, Gen Alpha will want to work for organisations that align with their values and contribute positively to society, where true thought has been given to embedding items such as sustainability and inclusivity into company culture and working practices.
Get ready for Gen Alpha to also challenge outdated conventions, policies, and things that, if we’re honest, don’t always make sense. If you’ve ever heard yourself, say, “well we’ve always done it this way” expect Gen Alpha to tackle this way of thinking. This doesn’t come from a hostile or confrontational place, but rather, says Dr Nobile “born from the environment in which they’re growing up – a world that embraces self-expression, celebrates emotional intelligence” and doesn’t accept what’s said as gospel. We’re going to need to be transparent, flexible and practice what we preach.
Finally, Generation Alpha has grown up in a world of instant gratification. Social media platforms provide immediate feedback in the form of likes and comments, and this desire for real-time validation will likely translate into their work environment. They will expect regular feedback on their performance and progress, rather than waiting for annual reviews. For employers, this means adopting a more continuous feedback loop—providing real-time recognition, frequent check-ins, and more immediate performance evaluations.
By scrapping outdated annual review systems and offering timely praise or constructive feedback, organsations can meet the expectations of Gen Alpha. Additionally, integrating platforms that allow for ongoing performance tracking will help managers provide the kind of instant responses that this generation craves.
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