Gen Z Aren't Fragile — You Just Don't Understand Them.

How different do you think you are to a Gen Z today? When we were growing up, I think it sums up the same scenario where we were not super purpose-driven to be very fair. We had very simple basic purposes in life. Let's study well. Let's get into our careers. Let's let that career be with us till we retire to be very fair. I mean, that's how we all started off in fact for that matter. I think how Gen Zs look at it is very differently. For them careers, I don't think the Gen Zs really look at careers with a long term because they want to create every moment now. There's a very nice word Gen Zs use called nowism. Nowism, okay. Nowism is basically it's all about the ideas now. Now is more important than tomorrow and the past. Now nowism can be looked into a little more uniquely and a little more differently. Nowism is not just about how Gen Zs think. I think this is the ecosystem which is creating nowism. Meaning, I want a car now, right? I

mean, everything is instant. As-salamu alaykum, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Brew Bites with me, Nadeem Ibrahim. Today, we're going to get very uncomfy or uncomfortable about the truth of Gen Zs. It's a very hot topic. I think it's a topic that's been ongoing certainly for my generation and generations before me and probably even for Gen Zs themselves. It My guest today I'm very humbled that he's here with me. He's a well-seasoned media marketing guy and even in space of tech. He's recently written a book called And You Think You Know Gen Zs. My guest today is Asif Husain. Welcome, Asif. How are you? Thank you so much, Nadeem. It's a pleasure and thank you so much for inviting me. Alhamdulillah, pleasure is ours, my friend. Pleasure is all ours. Like, let's go straight into it, right? In reflecting on your own generation and Gen Z's, what do you think are the traits that Gen Z's really need to sort of pick up? Because there's a lot of

conversation about Gen Z's, right? So, with Gen Z's, they can often be very emotionally driven, they are very laid-back, quite passive, not really as maybe driven as previous generations in some things, or at least don't showcase that. But, if we were to think about your generation, my generation, that we have some unique skills, what are the traits that Gen Z's have to let go, and what are they maybe the skills they need to sort of inherit from other generations? I think it's a great question as an icebreaker, to be honest Ali. let me begin. Let's analyze what is the difference between our generation and the generation which is Gen Z at this stage. I think the difference probably was if you remember, I would say that there were three important elements that we lived with. The first important aspect was that knowledge, the source of knowledge was extremely centered either through books or through universities or through our parents or seniors or there was a bit of an authority in terms of there was a

power, and the power was there because there was authority in terms of the knowledge was concerned. And everything whether you had a choice or you didn't have a choice, to be very fair, you used to listen to people who had the power in terms of the knowledge is concerned, right? Now, what is the difference between Gen Z's and us is Gen Z's were exposed when it comes to power in terms of knowledge, I would say. Now, knowledge seeking can be done anywhere and everywhere, in fact for that matter. I mean, look, I mean, the podcast itself has taken a huge spike in Gen Zs, and the reason is because they would love to hear, listen, know, and learn from various sources. You see, there has been a shift in terms of if I may say, in terms of the power of knowledge. It's actually moved in from a very few centric people to masses today. You can study, learn, take knowledge from everywhere. Now, having said that, that's the most important aspect where Gen Zs need to understand that power is

important, but not everything, right? I mean, most important thing is how to use knowledge in the right way is very important. Now, there are two important aspects I would say I like Gen Zs. Let's begin there. I mean, I like Gen Zs because they are disruptive, they're bold. Let me rephrase it in a different way that they are ready to experiment. They're ready to ask questions which are conventional. they like to go beyond their thought processes and do something different in the world. I think this is the major difference, and the most important difference comes from is purpose. I think Gen Zs are very purposeful driven. They like purpose in life. They like purpose in their education. They like purpose in their careers. They like purpose in relationship, in fact, for that matter. I have interviewed a lot of Gen Zs when I was writing my book, and I'm sure you know that I'm also an adjunct faculty at a university, so I obviously interact with a lot of Gen Zs.

And what amazes me about Gen Zs is they're very intriguing. They're very bold at the same time. They like to ask the right questions because they have a they have very purpose driven. I mean the same we see in the marketing front, right? Brands are basically are more accepted by Gen Zs who are purpose driven brands. They're very conscious about environment, carbon emission in fact for that matter. And I think this is what I would want this is what I would learn from Gen Zs to be very fair. I think we were not or I was not questioning too many things about brands or society at large. But I think this young generation Gen Z are definitely doing that. thank you, Ed. I think for maybe our generations, we were kind of instilled with knowledge and that ability to discover information was very limited. We barely had the internet, barely had mobile phones. So you were relying on what your peers or, you know, the father in the house or the uncle would be, you know, telling

you and, you know, teaching you and you would think that is right. Very little did you have that. But I think there's also like a social criteria too as well. different cultural levels of respect that if somebody is telling you something or to empower you, then you almost accept that as a status quo and you don't question it, right? Absolutely. And I think you're right. When I think of even my own nephews who are Gen Zs, they question a lot. but they also have a different drive of motivation. I at the age of 16 was so anxious and eager to drive a car. Don't see many Gen Zs actually that eager now to drive a car in my teenage years, the trend was buy a car and then change the face of the car, change the technology inside the car with music entertainment and things like this and then just have fun with the car. I don't see many of those fun cars on the roads nowadays when I think of my time in the UK. Dubai is very different. Don't get me wrong. Dubai is completely different.

But I think the attitude, they have a different outlook of Did you say that? I like that word of purpose. They have a sense of purpose. They know sort of what they want. But so long it caters towards their needs, then they won't necessarily question any further other than that. It's so it's quite interesting. Although I feel often Gen Z's are have an emotional imbalance. Right? I don't know if they if it's a it's just a generational thing and as generations go on it'll be a it will become a lot more regular, I would think. I think to say if that's the right word here to be using for it. But I do think that they are atypical. Because millennials, Gen X's, you know, and previous ones, very similar. I think you're right. It all comes down to technology. Technology will change how you behave. If you omit the technology we have and the internet, I think we will act and behave how we were before. So, our behaviors would be,

you know, playing sports outside, cycling a bike, all these things, right? We see none of these now. We see it's all about the digital fingers now, you know, and how they keep processing. It's one last thing. When you were growing up, think of your teenage years. And how different do you think you are to a Gen Z today? Well, when we were growing up, I think it sums up the same scenario where we were not so purpose-driven to be very fair.. we had very simple, basic purposes in life. Let's study well. Let's get into our careers. Let's let that career be with us till we retire, to be very fair. I mean, that's how we all started off, in fact, for that matter. I think how Gen Z's look at it is very, differently. For them, careers I don't think so Gen Z's really look at careers which are long-term because they want to create every moment now. there's a very nice word Gen Z's use called nowism.

Nowism? Nowism. Okay. Okay. Nowism is basically it's all about the idea is now. Now is more important than tomorrow and the past. Now, nowism can be looked into a little more uniquely and a little more differently. Nowism is not just about how Gen Z's think. I think this is a ecosystem which is creating nowism. Meaning, I want a car now. Right. Right? I mean, everything is instant. You want food, you order food. If it's 20 minutes late, it's delayed, we are on a point for them. Yeah. the whole idea of you using your best of the devices, whether it's a mobile phone, a laptop, so whatever you use, you need speed today. You need everything real quick. You need everything on a fingertip, right, at this stage. And that's nowism is enveloped in their life. Everything is now right now. So, if a car brand today tells me that they're going to deliver the car for the next in the next 6 months, probably I would accept it, to be very fair. I

would still want to wait for it, right? I would still like to wait for it. I'm a Gen X, right? But I'm not too sure whether you ask Gen Z, if you tell him that, "Oh, look, you've got to wait for a vehicle for the next 6 months or 7 months," they are not willing to wait because the whole idea is it's instant. Now, that brings to another topic, you know, that what do they need to change or learn from the other generations? I think two important aspect brings in here. And the first most important aspect, where I would feel that they need to really learn, is yes, purpose is important. Speed is important, everything is important in life, but at the same time, they need to emphasize on patience. They need to learn patience. And I see attention span, as we all know of Gen Zs, a little lesser than the other generations. And I think they're quite curious, and they have a lot of anxiety about success too early. And for that matter of fact, because they've seen their friends, their colleagues,

growing tremendously. I mean, for me, a career that was an organic career growth. And today, I've seen for Gen Zs, they have been Gen Zs which have become millionaires at the age of 16 years, 17 years, 18 years. They've done their startups. They've got that successful. And I've seen Gen Zs after being successful, being bankrupt as well. Wow. Right. So, I think there's just too much happening at a very fast pace. And the whole intention for Gen Z is to demand I think nowism is what we said, that they want everything now. They want success, they want everything right away. I think that's something which Gen Z needs to learn from the others. And second most important thing is they have to understand the importance of experience. Okay. Experience in what context? Experiences of life, experiences of everything for that matter. And that goes back to us, because when we were growing up, we respected our seniors,

our parents, our teachers, our bosses, our seniors, and everyone because of the experience, because we know they have the experience now, yeah. Right? But, I think the Gen Z says that, "Look, I mean, I'll create my experiences. You don't need to tell me. I'll do myself. Unfortunately, they need to of learn and make their own mistakes, right? But, it's like any teenager though, no? Or do you think it's quite unique for Gen Z's itself? I think Gen Z's well, teenagers normally do have that kind of character, but then Gen Z's are more anxious as I mentioned. Irrespective of their age, you think they're always going to be the same. And I see that anxiety in everything, in fact, for that matter. I see that anxiety in their careers as well. I see that anxiety in studies as well, for that matter. They don't want to organically grow in their careers as well. To be honest, let me give you an example. recently, I got

really shocked with a student coming to me and asking me a very straight question, all right? And he says, "Look, I never That was a question which kind of shocked me, right? And the question was that, 'Hey, you know what? I have a question in my mind going on for some time. I've seen a lot of young startup entrepreneurs who have not really gone a traditional university degree.' Okay. I said, "Okay. That's a great question. So, what's your question actually?

Sorry." So, he's saying, "Yeah, so do you think traditional studies hampers your growth or becoming an entrepreneur?" Okay. I said, "Wow. Yeah. so that's their analysis, you know, in terms of, you know, where you want to invest time in education institutes, 5 years, 6 years, 10 years after your school, of course. And where's it leading to? Oh, can we go straight away to startups and create our experiences, learn from the business world? And I think that brings to another topic in there is that our institutes ready or equipped enough for this generation? we go into that, I was reading a stat. I'm still trying to accept that this stat is actually correct. It's from Common Sense Media of 2023. And they claim that children spend almost 7 and 1/2 hours of screen time outside of school daily. I don't even know if this 7 and 1/2 hours outside of that. But even if you were to have that, that's still quite significant. Even 3

and 1/2 hours is significant. And in your book, you wrote about Gen Z's growing up in the midst technology. Now, when does it cross from being digital native to digital dependent? Well, I so like a question there, you know. Let's understand who made them digital dependent. Parents. Is everyone? Yeah. In fact, Correct. it's parents. Remember, I mean, it starts from a very adolescent, very young age where you want to feed a toddler, you give him over a mobile phone. It starts from there. Right? And it never ends, right? And I don't think so we need to blame anyone for it because the fact remains that can we live without digital today? Or can we live without devices for that matter today? You go to a school, the first thing they give you is a Tablet then. Yeah, true. And they need to study on a tablet. The school syllabus, everything today is on a tablet today. So, I think if they are if the source of information

or knowledge for them in schools is through devices, how can we take them away at their leisure time or when they are home? And let's not forget there is a world existing for a Gen Z which is online. It's social. Gaming, I guess. Gaming, I mean, what can we say about gaming? Gaming is life for them. Right? So, gaming is important for them and this is gaming is to be very fair, it's an important aspect of their personality now. I mean, that's what the research says. So, the kind of games a Gen Z plays that portrays and creates and builds his character. So, you got to be I mean, gaming is no longer just about entertainment. It's also an expression for them in terms of how they think, how they build, how they react, how they respond. So, looking at Now, there's another challenge in here, right? Because their communication is purely virtual today. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, And they're going away from human communications in a way. In a way, I

mean, not generalizing everyone, but I would say that you I'm sure everybody would agree we start realizing that when I we speak to Gen Zs a little more non-communicative, they're a little more shy. And I there's a chapter which I've written in the book which says, "Give me my space." I mean, the whole idea is Gen Zs feel that they need their space. The space idea comes from a lot of sciences which goes into it because the fact remains the virtual world creates and develop your mind differently than your human interaction. Okay. Currently, when you're talking to me today, you're talking to me. Your eyes are talking to me. Your face is talking to me. I mean, your the entire body is actually communicating to me. I mean, we're the only being in the universe given the ability to converse and talk.. Right? We're the only living creature in the universe ability of talking, right? And we're communicating to human race. Yes. This is a very important element. Now,

imagine what we've done with our human race What? that talking to each other, we are now instead of face-to-face the whole thing, right? we taken that into a digital I mean, it was even very difficult in COVID when everything was online. I couldn't I could not do it. I needed to be back here physically with I just was going mad. And look, I find that so interesting where you talk about, you know, how they want their own space.

It But, I also look at the schooling system and whether or not the schooling system is just reacting to how Gen Z's behave or are they helping Gen Z's to think for the bigger world. I always say that one of the industries which has which could have evolved better and is evolving at a very slow pace is the education industry across the world. It's across the globe, in fact. Now, I know a lot of people will say, "Oh, technology has moved into the to the education industry." But, those are gadgets and smart screens and monitors and all of those. I'm not referring to that technology which has moved into the education industry. I'm referring to there's been zero changes happening in terms of the way we impart knowledge to our generation next. And this generation, as we discussed earlier, has got information. What is the point in giving them more information, right? I mean, I can probably have the same information online and you're going to

be think probably the same way. In fact, I would want to learn it more interestingly on online, in fact, for that Well, this is the thing, like I think schools are might may I mean, this is a statement that I probably get a lot of evil eyes on. I have some teach I have some teachers in my own family and my own set of friends, but I'm not sure if schools are misunderstanding Gen Z's in what their learning preferences are. Because you you're absolutely right on the button when you talk about they want their own space. they like flexible working, for example. Now, you apply that flexible working in the working environment, professional environment. We somehow need to sort of bring that into school environment. Now, does school then need to change? Not from like a 9:00 to 3:00. Does it need to be a bit more flexible in some respects that adapts to a grown behavior. And I think maybe Gen Z's are very atypical to Gen Alpha's. Still to be seen. My son's a Gen Alpha and they

you know, I like to think right now he's got my traits of what I am like. Yeah, asking and saying okay, I understand. But if he was to become a Gen Z, I don't know where I would be. I would I think I'd be quite lost, but I think schools are probably somewhat not understanding the behaviors of Gen Z's and how the school like I think you're so spot-on where maybe schools have not adapted to what Gen Z's are, but also from technology perspective. Talk about teaching. In the place of I was at an event in a whole almost 2 years ago. And I forgot his name, but he was a well-renowned author and he was giving a talk about Gen Z's at that time. And what he had said was he was giving a speech in the US and he was talking about Gen Z's getting ready for the bigger world of work. It was like one of those career things, right? And he said as he was talking one Gen Z and I'm not sorry, I'm not sort of stereotyping Gen Zs. Okay, but saying like there was a member in the crowd and she put her hand

up and she says, "I don't care where I work or how I work. If I don't have what I need in a place of work, I will go somewhere else." So, the obligation to work is not quite instilled in their mind. The fact that they have this freedom to be able to go from one to another and feel that it's about their purpose that should be in a place of work absolutely stands to be true. From a teaching perspective, and I know I'm going on a bit now, is in the space of education where I think schools could adapt is they don't want to be maybe in a classroom for 1 hour on a subject. Their attention span is so different. And they're very digital-focused. So, what is it that they could do? They could sit in a class, switch on for 5 minutes, switch off, switch on again for the last 5 minutes and go, "Okay, I'm going to go home. I'm going to go into the Gemini or the ChatGPT to learn more about my subject that I just was not I was disengaged with." That's a threat, surely, right?

Absolutely. but the fact remains we as education institutes should not focus now, as I mentioned to you, imparting knowledge any longer because that's not important, that's not interesting. What can be done is more practical knowledge is what Gen Zs really need and they want. I'll give you some practical instances Sure. one of the students said like, "Hey, you know, why do we have examinations in fact for that matter? If you have examinations, you know, very stereotype examinations, why do we have them? Why don't you give us an assignment, real world assignment, and tell us, 'Hey, you know what? Create a marketing project and allow us to be graded accordingly.' because they say look theory I can memorize it. but that does not give me the set skills to actually work in a regular environment and then and I'm talking about a school student who's claiming this. I'm not even talking about a university student who is kind of

claiming it. So a school student today feels that he needs more practical knowledge in fact and I really like I mean the whole idea is this typical idea of being in a school for so many hours definitely needs to be changed because you confining them and they don't like to be confined whether it's a physical space you know locking them in the classroom and forcing them to you know learn certain subjects in a very confined environment is something which Gen Z's don't really like in fact for that matter. Yeah so I think that the whole approach of education needs to be a little more practical little more experiential in fact for that matter of time you know like do when you teaching subjects which are marketing of course they're much easier but maybe subjects which are more tougher like science and I think they need to be a little more practical more real more related to how and how am I going to utilize it. if you're teaching from let's say from

the business point of view you're teaching somebody content writing for example right don't teach them just content writing teach them how do you market that content writing services in fact for that matter of time. So I think the whole idea is to not have a very set syllabus. I don't know when these syllabus were created to be honest I think when I actually seen the universities or syllabus were created like I don't know I mean 1934 probably and has been changes in the syllabus but not drastic No major changes right? no major changes and So they're the same with teaching. and the sad story is there are people like us who would want to teach them for the sake of you know, finishing a syllabus because that's what the universities are asking you to do. So, and that's where the real challenge comes. So, the entire idea and the purpose should be more about, you know, learning. because Gen Zs want to really learn

Yeah. rather than you know, absorbing knowledge for the sake of told, right? Of yeah, exactly. So, I think that's done. understand the knowledge. Let me understand him. And the most important aspect. And I've kind of experimented that in my classes well. Yeah. So, let's assume this is a 30-minutes class. And you your conversation percentage should be maximum 10 minutes. Okay. Well, I would say maximum 15 minutes. With the 15 minutes of pure interaction, allow them to study their way. And you'll be surprised to know. that they can bring in better insights to theories, strategies than even probably we can. They're very creative. Okay. they learn they have the knowledge to source of information. And I think they can be more creative. So, what we need to do is we need to instead of giving knowledge, we need to create environments. This is what I'm emphasizing on. I mean, the idea of a typical session where I'm going to be talking about the next 30 minutes. The idea is let me listen to you for the next 15 20 minutes. And I'm telling you that learning is more impactful because when a student is expressing, learning, narrating, researching, and then learning on its own. The whole idea is today students need mentorship. Mentorship. They don't need teaching. The teaching I think should go away at some point of time. The traditional teaching

methodology of delivering a session to our students I think it needs to go away at some point of time. It should be mentoring and coaching. Another important thing, they learn more from their peers than they learn from their seniors. Okay. And the same logic applies in the career world as well. I've been talking to a lot of seniors, CEOs in the advertising space today and I'm meeting them, a lot of them. Probably most of you have seen my post up there. yeah. Quite a lot.

And in fact we I mean almost I don't know I mean I met a lot of CEOs and I think the major the basic difference is that when Gen Zs work, they like the work buddy culture. They don't respect hierarchies because they don't believe in them. They feel even as an intern, the intern says that I am an intern and I am an important aspect and a part of your organization. So they demand that kind of respect and a status quo, which is very important. So I think the organizations also need to understand the typical hierarchy positions. Yeah, I agree. I agree. There was a research done on LinkedIn. It was said that 67% of Gen Zs prioritize work-life balance over the salary. Wow, something. In Dubai, you'll be struggling, right? Work-life balance over salary, okay? usually people come to this region for the opposite side of things, right? And not necessarily have a healthy work-life balance. It gives give Actually, it give you both. but are Gen Zs then, would you say

redefining work ethic ethics in a place of work? Well, they're redefining their ethics to be very fair.. Or they're just like kicking it out and saying I don't care. I mean, once again, I think it's purpose-driven a work culture what they're aiming for. Because I say this, I've interviewed a few Gen Zs in my lifetime. And I have to say it's been quite of a an experience of an interview. Part one where this person was very much laid-back like this. And was very passive with his answers. And even to a point was sort of doing this. I know you can't see if you're listening to this, but literally the body language was so all over that in my time when I used to go for a job interview, I'd be so nervous, first of all, going into the job interview. And I would be having like 10 questions at the end whereby the interviewer say I've only got time for two or three questions, by

the way. We don't have enough time now. Whereas Gen Zs won't come up with any questions, and they almost say, "So, yeah, when do we start?" Like it's not like a sounds of entitlement, right? They just behave so differently. and I say that because I think employers need to learn or unlearn our old models of how we connect better with Gen Zs, right? I completely agree with that, yeah. I mean, we need to attract them, convince them, yeah.

Rather than they being convinced whether this organization is the right organization, right? So, the other way it's the other way around. I mean, they want us to prove that, "Look, you're hiring me, dude, so you convince me that this job is right for me and this is the right place for me. You're almost having to sell them the job. Absolutely. Even though they want the job, you have to sell the job. to sell the job. Exactly my point.

Again, this comes down to purpose again, right? It comes down to purpose as well. And I think that they have this the job insecurity. I don't know. I mean, this generation doesn't really know what is job insecurity because they don't care about job insecurity and I mean, we are really not meaning to bash Gen Zs. They are you know, a very, important part of the working capital of any economy. They're the future of the economy we live in, the you know, and they're the future for our even children's children as well of how they set things up and so we're not at all bashing them in any way or form. We're just critiquing certain elements of and I'm sure we could spend time about millennials and, you know, Gen Xers. We all have our own flaws and stuff and things like this. I think what's exciting is that is a new sense of energy of another generation that has completely transformed because they are

digital natives. We were not digital natives. We were inheriting digital, right? We were we didn't grow up with it. And there's a big, difference. In the space of consumers for a minute now when we think of Gen Zs now. And you mentioned purpose. What really drives a Gen Z loyalty for a brand? I think the first important aspect is for a Gen Z it's important that brand is ethical. And that's ethical? Ethical, yeah. Ethical is a number one priority because it's also linked with purpose. Ethical in terms of to its people. ethical to its to society, ethical as a product and ethical claim to a consumer as well. So ethics is number one when it comes to Gen Z today. And that's why we see that they're not brand loyal the way we used to be. Used to be. You stick with one brand and you're happy with that brand, you continue with that brand, right? Right. And I think they're not

They're not They're brand conscious. Let's not forget that. They are brand conscious. It's not that they're not brand conscious, but for them a brand has to also satisfy the other important elements which they look into a brand. So, for example, a very famous brand, I wouldn't name them, but let's assume that there's a brand Z and the brand Z is famous, doing well. been there, it's got heritage, 100 years. It has to prove today for agency.

It doesn't care whether it has proved itself for the last 100 years. It has to prove today and that's nowism analogy, right? Nowism technology. Yeah, the idea of nowism is right there. So, the idea of for the consumer front is I think Gen Zs are they're honest. They like honest communication as well. But do you think they've created based on this a lack of loyalty? I was going to say disloyalty, which is very not the right word to use, but this lack of loyalty then moving from brand to brand. And to be fair, we have seen new brands come up thanks to Gen Zs, right? Small blue chip brands who become very prominent now. but is there a sense of a cancel culture by Gen Zs that I can just chop and choose wherever I want to? Against the I mean let I mean there are two aspects of Gen Zs. when you talk about the cancel culture. one is linked to a brand being ethical. if the brand is not ethical in

whatever sense, they would want to take market. they they're very outspoken, easy, simple, and cancel a brand. It's simple as that. They don't want to waste too much of time in dwelling into brand loyalty and ta-da and all of that. They're very simple about it. However, is it abused at some point of time? I do feel it is abused because you need to The problem is the young Gen Zs don't give enough time to anything. Whether it's brand, it's experience, it's jobs, it's careers. They need to find a bit of How do I say that? They have to take some time. That's where the challenge comes. They're not willing to wait. It's They want to They arrive at the conclusions too early. And that is something which I believe will come with experience. And I'm sure it will come with experience, I think. Yeah. Moving on to I think some controversial outlooks of Gen Zs, I would say. Or maybe an in-look at them.

mental health and well-being is a big part of their life. We didn't really cover that right now. And with that a bit of a controversial one I'm about to say. Is it a disguise for responsibility when it comes to mental health or well-being? Let's say well-being, not mental health, because I think they're very different. Well-being in itself. So, you go to a place of work We've been talking about flexible working. We've been talking about having like lazy booths, somewhere you can go and relax and do meditation and all this stuff. It's a very, different culture, right? To service your well-being. And I'm all up for well-being. I do a lot of sports. I do used to do yoga. and I'm all about it. That's my one of my number one priorities in life is to be very connected and in your mind here. But, can it often been seen as just a scapegoat of responsibility? But, I don't I Or am I just being a bit outdated with that judgment? Like

No, you're not. I mean, so obviously here we are generalizing the entire cult of the Gen Zs. The fact remains that one thing which I have learned from them the Gen Z generation is the importance they're giving for the overall well-being.. And I think that's very important as well. The times we are living in it like Nadiem is we living in a times where everything is too digitalized. too easy for that matter.

At the same time, relationships are more complicated or complex than it used to be before. It all comes back to the same thing. You had authorities, you had. you used to have an authority to you know the family member that was the head of the family and you know all of that. gender biasness and all of those. The real world of today is away from a lot of those challenges out. Today there's a lot of gender equality in relationships and partnerships. When it comes to Gen Zs in terms of jobs we discussed and how they like to be treated as equal.. But, all that is important that they have to take care of their because everything does not exactly go the way they want it. So, let's understand from that side of the story here. they consist 30% of the population of Gen Z probably globally if I'm not wrong with my number, it's about 30%. Okay. Now, you see they're dealing with 70% Yeah. of people who probably

want to understand them, but they don't fully understand them.. This is where I think mental health being or help in general is important for them. And I don't think so it's a disguise because I'm seeing there are a lot of benefits for Gen Zs to kind of give importance to, for example, mental health for that matter. if you're not happy in a job, you are not successful in a job as well.. All right? Success for them does not mean that they're doing great and they've got those promotions they wanted. or it's the right organization to be in terms of its name, in terms of its I think for them Gen Zs look at a very overall perspective. An amazing perspective, in fact, for that matter, is the overall well-being in my work space as well. And I think it's the right demand to be very fair. I mean, given a choice, we would all want to have that kind of an environment where that I can have a work-life balance, I have enough time

for me to detox, I have enough time for me to go to my gym, I have got enough time, I have a hybrid if I need if I can work from home, if I can work from any other country, I can work from every from my home country for a few I think these demands overall are healthy and they're creating a better culture. So, I think one good thing I like about Gen Zs are. they're creating a culture. Yeah, exactly. And I think that's a great culture.

Yeah, and they've also brought a lot of I would say topics to the surface of well-being, mental health, sustainability, you know, like a lot of good important things. And like their attitude is awesome when it comes to those types of things. But what would happen if we were to pull Gen Z's off social media for a year? Wow. Would they thrive or do you think they would just collapse? Well, initially I think there's going to be I don't know. I can't imagine. You can't imagine, right? I can't imagine. Imagine. No. but very tough in fact for that matter. I don't think so they would Cuz it's all connected. They're so connected. I mean their whole life I mean they don't know other way. There's no other way to be honest, right? can you imagine a Gen Z mm not being connected virtually for even 3 days for that matter? So to getting them off socially connected for a year means I don't know. It's a brilliant idea. I'm sure someone will do it at some point. I mean yeah. I mean I was speaking to someone recently who's going to be part of this show and he was saying in the automotive industry what they're finding is with Gen Z's is they're actually rebelling against EV cars. They're swaying more towards retro petrol and gear sticks and the old ways with a balance of tech. So they want the retro aspect with

tech. So this is where I guess EV completely being an EV doesn't make sense for them. They want that balance. So they want that it's a great thing you mentioned about purpose. They want this purpose of being able to drive the car for the car what the car is but they also want it to be sustainable in some respects. So how do you bring these both together now? With an engine, right? And this is where they are disconnected from what we would assume completely battery powered vehicles would be great for them but clearly it's not. There's a gap there's a void that's been created there. but then you have to sort of look to celebrate Gen Z's emotional intelligence, right? I feel that there has been this is perception that they're really enabling their fragility, right? That they are fragile, you know, generation. They are fragile in some respects, but we should really sort of compliment and applaud them for their emotional intelligence. They're so different than what we are because

without that emotional a intelligence, we wouldn't see those subject matters that have been brought before us in the last decade, you know, than our generation since generations before. Thanks to technology that's allowed them to explore, to question, to discover, and bring it back. so I of one I would most likely celebrate Gen Z's of what they're doing is somewhat right rather than say they're very difficult bunch to deal with cuz we all have our traits. No, of course they're not very difficult to deal with to be very honest. in fact, they're very easy to deal with the way I look at things, right? For example, in the last 10 years I've realized one important aspect is if you know how to deal with them, I think they're the most easiest generation ever for that matter. Okay. they're the most easiest generation ever for that matter. I'm going to be very brutally honest to you on that. the reason why I say that is if you mentor them

and make them believe. that nobody is above anyone Yep. and we're here to understand, listen, and go through this together, Yep. that's a buzzword for them. Let's go through it together, that's a buzzword. We should have a chat show on this one, get all Gen Z's to call in and speak to Mr. Asif here on all things. The guy's a mentor, Look, Asif, we're coming towards the of our show and I have one segment, it's just a bit of fun here, okay? Where I present two cards. Okay. And beneath each card, there's a question. One question is left by a previous guest. Okay. Yeah, I don't know what it is, to be honest with you. I just let them write it and then they just put it in the box. So, it could be controversial. So, brace yourself, okay? And the other one is a question that I have written up thanks to AI.

Okay. I'm going to put this here. You get to choose one. Okay. I just need to mix it up a bit. There's only two cards to mix up, but yes. All right. Oh, you're going for this one? Okay. So, it's a question that's been written ChatGPT. by you and ChatGPT, okay? All right. This one would have been, okay. It's an interesting one. I think this one was left by Stephen King. Wow. From Middlesex University. Okay, that's amazing. could have had. All right, okay. So, the question Let me go with the AI. If Gen Z built a tech startup based purely on their attitude towards life, what problem would it solve? And what problem would it ignore on purpose? Wow, that's an interesting question.. If they have to build a startup, I think a startup would be about solving a very important aspect of their human life.

which is, easing of their communication with their parents. With their parents. Okay. Yeah, I think that's the, and parents and yeah, parents predominantly. And what they would want to leave is, they would like to leave being too opinionated about what they do in terms of work. So, I think they don't like too much of opinions. They want to figure it out their way. They want to fail their way, they want to succeed their way.

I hope that answers your question. I'm not sure. I mean, I don't know if AI would accept that answer, but I think he would say, "Okay, that's a reasonable answer." Somehow. I think if they were to set up a tech startup I have no idea. I generally have no idea. You're almost thinking like in advance like if I was to think of Gen Alpha what would they s- text that be? You just got I can't see that fast forward. I can't see that fast forward, to be honest with you.

Asif, thank you so much for coming on the show and helping us cut through the noise of a of Gen Zs and getting under the skin of Gen Zs. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think for anyone who's looking to a hire, teach, or mentor try and get a copy of Asif's book and you think you know Gen Zs. It's a very great a place to sort of go for guidance and mentorship. And if you've taken anything from the show, please give it a like. Otherwise, subscribe, share, and until next time, peace out.