Quiet quitting, the Great Resignation, and the pursuit of the“soft life”– these employment trends are hot topics in the news and on the rise. Get this.According to Gallup, only 33% of people are engaged in their jobs, 35% of U.S. employees changed jobs within the last three years, and 51% are actively looking for a new job. Wow 😳
What’s really going on here?
Here’s my take. People are evolving more quickly than the organizations for which they work. And, it’s not surprising. Consider this: For the first time in history, there are five generations in the workplace – each with its own values, priorities, and expectations.
Where does one fit in this cornucopia of work preferences, needs and styles?!
It’s not an easy question to answer, but our work at Equipt is providing new insight about an emerging shift led by Millennial and Gen Z workforces. For the past two years, Equipt has engaged with young professional women in a variety of ways – from conducting focus groups and 1:1 interviews to delivering professional development courses and group coaching.
Based on these activities with hundreds of women, one thing is clear: aspiring professionals are seeking – and often demanding – a better workplace fit. More specifically, that means:
– A role that plays to their strengths 💪
– A manager who cares about their well-being and provides opportunity to grow 🌱
– A culture with company values that overlap with their own and have been activated in a tangible way 💖
– A company that pays and promotes equitably 💸
– A schedule that enables flexibility 🗓️
In my experience, though, “fit” doesn’t magically happen. Nor is it a constant. It ebbs and flows, like life. Therefore, we teach participants to take an active role in their work experience and strengthen fit by:
– Taking responsibility and being accountable ✅
– Practicing a growth mindset 🧠
– Understanding and utilizing resources their company offers ✍️
– Contributing to the culture versus waiting for it to unfold 👍
– Advocating for positive change for self and others 🥳
It’s rewarding to see the light bulbs 💡 go off when they recognize the value of the role they can play in their own success and fulfillment.
The questions they ponder shift, too. Before, they lamented –quietly – “should I stay or should I go?” Now, they assert – “why am I here and how can I grow?”
Indeed. The bottom line? A great fit fuels happier, engaged employees AND more relevant, successful companies.
