The Next Great Generation: Unlocking the hidden potential of Generation Z

We have been saturated in the past five years with tools, seminars, research, podcasts and literature on how to embrace the ever popular Millennial generation. The “Me” generation who lives by the YOLO mentality- you only live once. Many of us who have preceded the Millennial generation would agree that we are better equipped now than we were even three years ago on how to understand and lead the Millennial generation.

Well hold on guys, just when you think you have it all figured out, you may need to erase everything you have known about the Millenials and get prepared for the next generation, the Gen Zers! This is a generation that may have some similarities with their predecessors the Millennials, but are different in many ways. If we head into leading Generation Z with the same framework as the Millennials, we may have trouble ahead! 

As a business owner who employs, teaches and leads Generation Z, I feel it is important that we recognize three major differences, understand the ways that we can successfully connect with this new generation and then be able to maximize and unleash the potential of what I predict is going to be the next greatest generation.  So let’s take a journey into learning a little bit about Gen Z, learning this differences, getting the best tools to work with this generation and in turn unlock huge potential for all of us as business owners, leaders and teachers! 

One of the first things we need to know about Gen Z is when do they start. There is a gray area of when the Gen Zers actually start. Some researchers say Gen Z starts as early as 1996  but most data states that Gen Z are those kids born between 2000-2012. 

Three of the main differences and distinguishing traits of the Generation Z compared to Millennials are their conservative nature, entrepreneurship tendencies and their devotion to a life of purpose. 

Conservative Nature

Like Millennials, Generation Z is a generation of extreme diversity. However, unlike the Millennial generation that was born in the 90’s when America’s economy was expanding, the Dot.com era was born and who were taught that “anything is possible” ,the Generation Zers experienced an economic recession, daily terrorism headlines, racial unrest, increase in gender confusion, unemployment and debt increase. These events have caused this generation to think more cautiously and more realistic. Many Gen Zers were born of parents of the Generation X who lived through the recession where they lost 40% of their net worth. 

We are going to see this next generation be more cautious and conservative in their spending as they have witnessed their siblings and their Gen X parents incur a large amount of financial debt. An interesting trend in this generation is a lower percentage going on to college. In a Huffington Post survey of Gen Zers, they reported that 75% of Gen Z feels there are other means of higher education than going to a four year college program. Currently we are experiencing a 5-10% decline in college enrollment in the past three years and many high school students graduating early and going right into the workforce. Gone are the days that colleges could use the message “Come Discover Yourself, Find yourself” This generation does not buy this. 

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Gen Z knows nothing other than a digital, social and mobile world. They have been immersed into this world from birth and they are very much products of the DIY (Do It Yourself) mentality. With their digital mindset, they are extremely intelligent and know how to get results quickly. In a recent Gallup poll, only 10% of the Millenials want to be entrepreneurs compared to 18% of Gen Zers. 

There is a common phenomenon in Gen Z that is called “Side Hustle.” This is a byproduct of how entrepreneurial minded this generation and how common it is for them to have additional jobs on the side.

Long are the days that starting your own business takes months, maybe years. Think about it, today you can hop on the internet, file for an LLC, create a logo, design a website and order business cards within a day. This “Side Hustle” is not an situation of this generation doing  either/ or but doing the job “and.” that job and they are not going to try to hide it. They have their main job or they are a student AND they have a Side Hustle. I have already seen this in several of my own students and my team of people who work in our business. 

Purpose Driven

The final difference of Gen Z that is important to note is that this is a generation who wants to prioritize purpose in their work. Unlike Millennials who are more driven by growth and a balanced lifestyle, the Gen Zers are looking to align with organizations with a purpose worth committing to. They are leaning toward more of the public and non-profit sectors in comparison to the Millenials who flood the private sector. Taking note of this purpose driven character trait becomes important as we lead and employ this younger generation.

Generation Z likes to make a difference and are looking to fill a void in the world. They are commonly referred to as “New Minds, Old Souls.”  This generation relates really well to the Baby Boomer generation, the largest generation ever that is slowly making its way out of the workforce as they are starting to retire. 

So how do we successfully connect with Gen Zers?

We must be authentic with this generation. They can see right through fluff. They are quick to call people out and though more respectful to their older generational leaders, they do not have an issue calling out any means of inauthenticity. We also need to remember to keep it short. This generation has strong filters and short attention spans. They have five screens going minimum at times. The key is to engage them within six seconds. This is how much time we have for them to make up their minds if they are going to engage with us. 

With this generation being entrepreneurially minded, we need to find ways to give them ownership in the creation process. We will find more success in guiding this generation from the side and letting them create.  We need to become navigators to help chart their direction and give advice. They value things they have discovered and we should push them to be creators, not consumers. Don’t think of informing them, think of interpreting. They don’t need knowledge from us, they need interpretation. This is key! We should pull, not push as we lead this generation. 

The final suggestion on how to connect with this generation is to be able to offer them a cause. These kids want to do something very important and have a higher purpose. All their life they have been told “WHAT” to do. We will be more successful with this generation if we explain the “WHY.” We will get a deeper engagement as they are a generation lead by their hearts . 

It is our duty as a leaders of Gen Z to unleash their potential and be aware of the amazing future our businesses, our communities and our world can have by taking the Gen Z strengths and combining them with strong core character values. I have witnessed in my teaching and leadership curriculum, amazing growth due to the simple exposure and awareness of timeless principles such as kindness, work ethic, giving, gratitude and excellence.  As leaders we are called to expose and surround this generation with these core values in order for them to be truly successful in today’s day and age. 

This is an exciting time and I am very hopeful that this Generation Z will be the next greatest generation of all times. Embrace them, lead them and create a legacy of young leaders who can make this world a better place!

The Ripple Effect - Coming Full Circle

There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the ripple effect that leadership can create, especially when it is with your students. Our Taking Shape STAR leadership program is in full force!

We are in the second year of existence with over 25 studios, clubs and organizations
throughout the United States, Canada, Haiti and even Aruba who are affiliate members
using the Taking Shape STAR leadership curriculum. Our mission continues to create a
young generation of leaders who impact others through strong character values and
community service.

This season, two of our Richmond area STAR leaders, Malori Chrisman and Isabella
Duffet, took their leadership training to the next level. In addition to being STAR Leaders
with our Taking Shape organization, they also are enrolled in a dual credit leadership
class in their high school. One of the course requirements was to create a project that
they were passionate about and would benefit the community.

Isabella and Malori took the initiative to design their own series of Chance to Dance classes that were held at the Richmond Shapes Dance and Acro Studio. Both girls took the ball and ran with the idea! They organized, marketed and taught a movement and exercise class for special needs adults in the Ray County area. They marketed the classes through social media, flyers and visiting group homes in the area, inviting qualified candidates to the free classes. The class format incorporated gross motor skills, balance, musicality and coordination. The class was taught monthly by both girls and averaged over 20 participants in each class.

The dual credit project for their high school completed in January, but now, several months
later, due to the popularity of the class and the value of service which these girls have
experienced, they have chosen to keep the program going until the end of the school year.

Taking Shape bases is curriculum on 5 points of the star; Trust, Serve, Love, Growth and
Excellence. These girls have taken “Serve” above and beyond and are true leaders as
they grow in character and cause a ripple effect of leadership in their own community.

Isabella Duffet comments on her experience with this leadership project, “ Teaching a
Chance to Dance class was so rewarding because dance has brought so much joy to
my life for so long and it was cool to share that joy with other people who don’t get
the opportunity to dance.”

Taking Shape is proud of the excellent example of servant leadership that these
two young ladies have portrayed.

This is our mission of our organization, to grow young leaders who impact others!
Our goal is to continue to raise up young leaders Here, Near and Far in order to
make the world a better place.It is working! We are on a mission! We will
continue to change lives!

Christmas in Haiti - A Family Experience

Taking Shape continues it's mission of growing young leaders as our Taking Shape STAR leadership team traveled to Port au Prince, Haiti over Christmas break to finish the building project at Laphare Orphanage and school.  The overall project includes an expansion of the orphanage which will allow living space for the children and a closed in area where school can be conducted. 

Taking Shape will be launching their performing arts leadership camps in the summer of 2018 at Laphare Orphanage. Mission campers will be housed on site at the orphanage to experience an immersion of the culture as they conduct leadership and performing arts camps for children of the entire Port au Prince community. Taking Shape will continue it's vision to raise young leaders Here, Near and Far. Click Here to learn more about our upcoming camps! 

During a ceremony at the project site, Executive Director Tracey Wozny and project manager, Greg Lock receive an award on behalf of Taking Shape for the work the foundation is doing for the community. 

Taking Shape Breaks Ground in Port au Prince Haiti

It was just a year ago I shadowed a friend and colleague of mine on a mission trip to Haiti. Katie is an extraordinary human being, with a heart to give back on all levels. She is a TED talk presenter, owner of a dance school, executive director of a global non-profit, and in her spare time is building a school in Uganda. I had my own vision of building a performing arts school in a third world country and my goal for that trip was to learn from her in expanding our non-profit organization, Taking Shape.

I didn't quite know what to expect in this country that was still reeling from a devastating earthquake of 2010.  We visited Lephare, a small orphanage where we planned to bring some joy by conducting games and singing and dancing. The dismal facility had a rusty, steel gate that served to protect the precious lives within. When we entered, our hearts were immediately warmed as a flood of smiling, excited children greeted us. We were witness to resilience, love, energy, and respect. I had found the location to bring my vision to fruition.

One of the missions of Taking Shape is to identify and develop young leaders. Our goal is to help them live a life of purpose and servant leadership for their communities, surrounding areas, and the world. Immediately, I could identify young leaders in this orphanage and knew this would be the perfect place to build a performing arts school and young leadership facility. Now, one year later, we are seeing this vision become a reality with our August groundbreaking. I want to express my profound gratitude for each and every one of you who have helped us reach this milestone.

Work includes an expansion of rooms including bedrooms and bathrooms for the 23 residents. We will continue on to build a community school in conjunction with the project so other children in the area can benefit. Things are happening quickly. We will begin performing arts mission camps in the summer of 2018.

I often get asked why we are helping children in another country when there is so much to be done in our own communities. Our goal is to grow young leaders Here, Near and Far. This project will not only help children in Haiti but will provide exceptional leadership opportunities for our own STAR leaders from our local program. They will get the opportunity to serve on a global level by registering to teach at these camps in Haiti next summer.

I was moved by how eager these Haitian children were to learn. They don't take anything for granted. They have deep faith, hope, and an appreciation for education. They take care of each other. I have witnessed how they are already leaders in their own community. With your ongoing help, we will continue to answer the call in partnering with Pastor Jean of Lephare Orphanage as we help them expand their school and facility. Taking Shape will also continue to work on our three platforms; Here, Near and Far, as we continue to make differences in the lives of children through youth leadership.

Help us continue our mission to raise young leaders Here, Near and Far

by donating here today!

Day 5 - Haiti Camp Finishes with a Bang!

Haiti Camp Finishes with a Bang!

Today we completed our final day of our Taking Shape/Cepras summer camp combining the children associated with the Cepras organization and the children of Lephare orphanage. What a week we have had! Learning, growing, dancing, singing and meeting new friends!

Today we finished with a performance of all of the dances, games  and songs we have learned this week.  It was hard to say goodbye especially to all of the children that touched us in so many ways. Despite the bitter sweet goodbyes, Taking Shape is ecstatic to announce that we have partnered with the Cepras organization of Haiti to conduct our Taking Shape camps annually. Look for our mission camp registration and announced dates to be available September, 1.

.A huge thank you to Marcella Gibbs, Benson Jean and Emmanuel Pierre of Cepras who allowed this camp to happen! What experience it was for our team of 3….. Ms Beana, Mr Sam and Ms Tracey. We are looking forward to opening up our 2018 summer Haiti mission camps with a larger team of Taking Shape STAR leaders and dance studio owners! Until next year…..!

Au Revoir!!

Day 4 - Fish are a hit!

Today was the last full day of camp, tomorrow we finish up with a performance and celebration with the children of Cepras and Lephare orphanage.. Today’s big hit was creating a wall of rainbow fish!  Cepras President Benson read the bible story of the loaves and the fishes. The children made a wall of beautiful fish using weaving and construction paper. Very creative!

We had several new dances and games that we introduced to the campers such as the Macarena, Limbo and Duck Duck Goose. Games are a huge hit with this bunch!

After day 4 it has been so cool to see the kids of Cepras and Lephare orphanage become friends and establish relationships. They have shared a common experience and have formed some wonderful friendships along the way!

Day 3 - August 2017 Mission Camp Trip

Another full day at the Cepras Camp! Today we arrived at the camp with 23 Lephare orphanage kids and a 9 month baby in the Tap Tap (another name for Taxi but it is a short bed Toyota truck painted in vibrant colors). We met up with the remaining children attending the Cepras camp at the CMAS school where the camp is being held.  

Such a variety of ages from a 9 month old to 24 year old boys and girls coming to camp to learn, grow as leaders and make friends. 

Today our campers learned some American favorites; The Chicken Dance, YMCA and the Wobble. We also joined both ages together for a Cotton Eye Joe production number. Yee haa! 

Musical chairs, public speaking using a microphone and several crafts and art contests throughout the day!
Benson the President of Cepras conducted a very creative bible skit focusing on the story of the prodigal son. Haitian children are quite entertaining and great actors! 

What an experience this has been so far! Haitian children are so similar to Americans in that they are like sponges, they want to learn. They love to play and they take care of each other. I have seen our leadership team grow as young leaders themselves as they instruct activities, games, songs and lessons to children that don’t speak the same language. Leading others in example rather than words!