What are Universities Really For?

Anatomy of GenZ and Millennials:  a generation whose collective psyche is deeply Misunderstood

Some Backrgound

The genZs have become a subject of discussion in our societies today because of the current political agitation that is mainly attributed to the young people. Until recently, the genZs suffered from what I would call “stereotypes of a generation misunderstood.” They have been labeled many names simply because they choose to live their lives based on completely different set of rules. Their kind of realities deviates significantly from the realities of the generations that came before them. So, who are they? 

Gen Zs, also known as Zoomers, is the demographic cohort following Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. There's some debate about the exact birth years, and there may be overlaps between the three generations, but typically researchers and media outlets place it somewhere between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s.  This means the oldest Gen Z individuals are now in their mid-20s, while the youngest are still teenagers. Historians will find memorable round numbers to distinctly mark the beginning and the end of these generations, but for now I will go with teenagers, twenties, and early-to-mid 30s. 

Like I said, Gen Z is suffering from stereotypes of a generation misunderstood. They are labeled lazy, entitled, and more concerned with dopamine-filled vanities than the future.  The denizens of the digital world with attention spans the length of a TikTok clip. But this caricature, painted with broad brush of misunderstanding, fails to capture the vibrant tapestry that is Gen Z.  These labels fail to capture the complex, multifaceted and nuanced realities of this generation; the kind of realities that shape their collective psyche as a people. This generation is not only digital savvy or “digital natives” - as young people are often called collectively, but they’re also redefining how we live and relate to social norms. They are not defined by our screens; they are the architects reshaping the very foundation of how we live, work, and connect.

In this article, I will attempt to reflect on my understanding of this generation; and hopefully I come up with what I call the anatomy of this generation’s collective psyche, in 5 not so easy pieces (To borrow the title of Feynman’s book “Six-not-so-easy-pieces”). In this quest, I hope to answer questions like what do they care about, what drives them, what does their mob psychology look like, how do we understand them and how do we tap into their energy and channel it to a greater cause? 

Gen Zs as Change Agents

Gen Zs aren’t passive bystanders on issues of societal interests. As a generation, they know they are the inheritors of a world grappling with climate change and social inequalities. This is the generation of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who defied the Taliban's bullets to fight for girls' education. Her unwavering voice, amplified on social media, became a rallying cry for millions. This is the generation of Greta Thunberg, the Swedish schoolgirl who dared to stare down world leaders with her unwavering demand for climate action. Her simple act of sitting in protest on the steps of parliament sparked a global movement, Fridays for Future, a testament to the power of a single voice to ignite collective action. Countless other Gen Z and millennial activists are using social media platforms to mobilize support for everything from racial justice to LGBTQ+ rights. This is not a generation that fight for selfish interests. They aren’t rent seekers! They believe in a good cause such as the need for climate action, and they lend their voices, and rally themselves towards that cause. 

Their View of Work

The concept of work has evolved over the years, and taken shapes as defined by economic realities of the time. What work meant for my parents and my elder siblings isn’t what it means today. Growing up as a millennial or a gen X, the emphasis for kids would have been to work hard, get a college degree (preferably in Medicine, Engineering, Law or become a teacher). At the workplace, the script was as rigid as ever; work hard, rise through the corporate ladders and retire with a decent pension. Today, however, the young people view work differently. 

Young people no longer consider college majors like medicine, engineering, or law as symbols of success but rather symbols of servitude. A strict 9-to-5 work schedule is “no longer giving” to many of the young people and so they have invented something called Gig Economy. Unlike the previous generations chained to the 9-to-5 grind, the zoomers value flexibility and purpose. In the streets of Nairobi, you may have seen a lot of young people armed with passion and modern tools like smartphones, cameras, selfie sticks etc, creating content. Others have also found platforms to monetize their passion like photography, videography, writing, and coding. This generation has transformed their skills into micro-businesses. If you are wondering who they are; they are the YouTubers, tiktokers, the freelance graphic designers, the social media influencers. To them, the gig economy has sort of blurred the lines between work and personal life, crafting careers that resonate with their values, and this generation loves it like that. They just want the system to work and enable that ecosystem of gig economy to thrive. 

A Generation United

Our political class are notorious for calling for “unity” which is mostly a decoy or dog whistle for drumming the tribal rhythms. I dare say that our young generations are not like the generation before them, especially on matters of primitive and divisive identity politics. Gen Z defies rigid categorization. They transcend racial, religious, and gender boundaries. Their social spaces are melting pots of diverse identities, fostering a sense of unity that transcends traditional labels. This is the generation that has been known to genuinely champion and live their lives with conscientious inclusivity. They fight for the rights of marginalized communities, dismantling outdated notions of gender and sexuality. Their online spaces celebrate diversity, challenging societal norms with refreshing honesty, using humor and social media to dismantle stereotypes. 

This is the negation that can identify as anything. A young genZ can identify as a war veteran or as a police officer or as a bishop, et cetera. It is wild west, a slippery slope, quite frankly! The other day I saw a video going round about a perfectly lean and well-built man joining an online catchup group for the “fat and queer.” Obviously, some members who consider themselves genuinely fat and queer were not amused and demanded that he leave the group. The exploits of the young man aside, what this video meme showed me is that these new cultural idiosyncrasies are going to be very hard to wrap our heads around. But, since these are the cultural inclinations and behavioral predispositions that define the collective psyche of the genZs, we cannot ignore them. The genZs are bold in their expression. This boldness, and their unwavering commitment to inclusivity can sometimes be misinterpreted as disrespect towards traditional values.  But it's not defiance; it's a genuine desire to rewrite the rules, to create a world where everyone has a seat at the table, a world where labels don't limit, but possibilities expand. The genZs have a genuine desire for a more equitable world.

Psychological Safety & Mental Wellness

Psychological safety is a buzzword that you will hear a lot in the corporate corridors, and it’s something that the younger generation have embraced fully. But what is it, really?  It is the condition of feeling safe to take interpersonal risks at work (or in the society) without fear of negative consequences. It's about feeling comfortable speaking up, admitting mistakes, and offering new ideas. A psychologically safe environment is where both freedom of speech and freedom after speech are guaranteed.  For Gen Zs, psychological safety goes beyond just feeling comfortable at work or in their communities. It's the foundation for a society where they feel empowered to contribute their ideas, challenge the status quo, and express themselves authentically without fear of retribution. 

While other generations are often use psychological safety as an employ slogan that means nothing to them, and they have no intention of implementing, the GenZs demand it as an irreducible minimum. A lack of psychological safety creates toxic environment; and the young people do not really thrive in such environment. The genZs are the kings and queens of self-care and great champions of mental health. Raised in an era of open communication, they reject the stigma surrounding mental illness. They readily voice their needs, demanding psychologically safe work environments. This isn't laziness; it's a conscious choice to avoid environments that don't align with their values. Their refusal to "waste energy" might seem like apathy, but it's a strategic decision to focus on what truly matters. However, if you invalidate their feeling and employ dictatorial tactics of repression; they will show you something called quiet quitting. This is where they just sit there and do bare minimums; doing just enough to not get fired. 

So how do you create mentally stimulating and psychologically space environments for young people? The key is open and honest communication and engagement. At the workplace, this generation must be engaged all the time; because that is the only way to channel their energy to good use. Gen Z craves open and honest communication, where ideas can be freely exchanged without judgment. This includes being able to disagree with superiors or point out flaws in existing processes. Additionally, to genZs, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, not reasons for punishment. Leaders should create an environment where Gen Z feels comfortable taking risks and trying new things, even if it means failing sometimes. Lastly, respect for diverse perspectives and a culture of trust are essential. 

Gen Z needs to feel their voices are valued and their opinions considered, regardless of their position or experience. For leaders in political offices and corporate leadership, this means actively listening to Gen Z's concerns and ideas. This means paying attention, asking clarifying questions, and demonstrating genuine interest. This also means transparency in decision-making and providing constructive feedback that can help build trust with Gen Z. In the coming years, this could also mean radical transparency!  

Since this is the generation that is big on rallying for a good cause, we must learn to give Gen Zs ownership over projects and tasks. This empowers them to take initiative and see the impact of their work. Gen Zs prefer the flexibility to choose projects that align with our passions, contribute to causes they believe in, and build a work-life balance that prioritizes well-being. Lastly, genZs demands that leaders model the behavior they expect. Be open to feedback, admit mistakes, and demonstrate respect for diverse viewpoints.

Psychological safety gives young people the audacity to question everything. Gen Z are critical thinkers. They question authority, challenge assumptions, and demand transparency. They're skeptical of information and seek out diverse perspectives.  This is a generation of digital detectives, adept at sifting through information, seeking nuanced perspectives, and separating fact from fiction. This intellectual inquisitiveness can be disruptive, but it's also the root of their social activism and problem-solving skills. This is the generation that crowdsourced solutions to real-world problems, the generation that turned to social media to expose police brutality and advocate for racial justice movements like #BlackLivesMatter. While Gen Z values free expression, it's important to understand that it doesn't equate to absolute freedom. Respectful communication remains key. However, by fostering psychological safety, leaders can ensure that Gen Z feels comfortable expressing their ideas constructively, challenging conventions and leading to a more innovative and engaged workplace/society. 

Transparency, Ethical Consumption, and the cancel culture 

There is no doubt that genZ is one of the most woke generation there is, today. The generation is big on transparency, and they will not hesitate to hold anyone (governments, corporations, and individuals) accountable. These young people came up with something very powerful called the “cancel culture” – a tool for holding individuals, brands, and institutions accountable for unethical behavior. This extends to their consumption habits. They champion ethical sourcing and sustainability, driving a future where transparency and responsible business practices are paramount. This is the generation that can cancel a coffee house because of the injustices happening in the coffee supply chain; whether it is a case of farmers being underpaid or cases of child labor, et cetera. This is the generation that is already concerned about things like a corporation’s carbon footprint before they can associate with it.  If there is anything unethical along the value chain, guess what, the GenZs could very easily boycott the brand. They are discerning consumers, researching supply chains and production practices before they swipe their credit cards. For gen Zs, it's about demanding a future where the clothes we wear, technology in our pockets and the food we eat aren't produced on the backs of exploited labor or on a planet ravaged by unsustainable practices. This is the generation that has massively embraced technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency because of their emphasis on transparency and decentralized power structures. They distrust centralized control and seek systems that operate openly and fairly.

Final Message to the genZ change Agents

Gen Z and Millennials, your voices are a force to be reckoned with. Speaking truth to power is in your DNA; you weren't raised to be silent bystanders, and you have lived up to those expectations. You were raised to question, challenge, and demand a better future.  This very spirit of activism is what fuels the organic protests we see today. It's a testament to the collective psyche of a generation that feels unheard, frustrated, and uncertain about the future. These feelings are valid, and your desire for change is commendable.

However, raw frustration, while a potent motivator, needs a clear direction to be truly impactful.  Remember, the strength of a movement lies in its focus and its ability to bridge divides.  Instead of resorting to slogans and divisive rhetoric, consider channeling your energy into formulating a clear agenda, a set of "irreducible minimums" that represent the core issues you want addressed.  This agenda shouldn't be an exhaustive list of demands, but rather a set of achievable goals that demonstrate your willingness to engage in a dialogue.

Think about it; the very act of outlining specific goals demonstrates your seriousness and provides a foundation for productive discussions with the authorities. You have already made your voice heard across Africa and the world. No one can ignore you no longer! Peaceful protests, coupled with well-defined petitions directed at the appropriate offices, are powerful tools guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution. By focusing on clear, actionable goals, you demonstrate respect for the democratic process and open a door for dialogue with those in power.  Remember, a united Kenya, one where all voices are heard and all generations work together, is the only way to ensure a brighter future for everyone.

This isn't about "us vs. them"; it's about harnessing the collective energy of all Kenyans to build a better nation.  By articulating your needs and engaging in a civil discourse, you can ensure that your voices are not just heard, but also acted upon. Let's bridge the generational divide, find common ground, and work together to create a more prosperous and equitable future for all Kenyans. Remember, we are the intellectual descendants of giants who fought for justice and equality through peaceful means. Nelson Mandela fostered racial healing after South Africa's brutal apartheid through forgiveness and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Martin Luther King Jr., whose unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance in the Civil Rights Movement challenged racial segregation with love and respect, and Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of India" who championed Satyagraha, meaning "truth force" to peacefully dismantle British rule.  As a generation, we carry a powerful torch. We stand on soldiers of giants, and their legacies ignite a call to action. In a world brimming with inequality, injustice, and oppression of dissenting voices, we must honor their peaceful fight for justice by using our voices, our creativity, and unwavering perseverance to challenge oppression and build a world that reflects a just society they envisioned.