Mentorship isn’t for everyone. It can often be challenging, especially when you’re a millennial mentoring someone from Gen Z. But fear not, with a bit of patience, empathy, and a good sense of humor, you can be an excellent mentor for the next generation.
Let’s start with some of the basics. Gen Z’ers were born into a world of social media and smartphones, ultimately leading to an instant gratification epidemic, where patience can be hard to come by. They’ve never known a world without Google, and they can text faster than most of us can type. As a mentor, it’s essential to recognize these traits and be ready to adapt to their needs.
One thing I’ve learned and have grown to admire from mentoring Gen Z’ers is that they’re not afraid to ask for help. Whether with their studies, job search, or personal life, they’re not scared to reach out and ask for guidance. And that’s where you come in, as the wise and experienced millennial mentor and de facto armchair psychologist. You can provide them with the tools and advice they need to succeed. (Wow, I feel old. Thirty-nine is the new twenty-four, right?)
Being a mentor doesn’t need to be all serious business all the time. You can inject some humor into the relationship to keep things light and fun. For example, I like to share some of my most embarrassing moments from early in my career. We all have them, and they can be a great way to connect with your mentee and show them that you’re human too. You can also use humor to teach them valuable lessons. For example, you can share the story of when you tried to impress your boss with a presentation, only to have the projector fail, and you had to improvise with hand-drawn diagrams. The lesson here is that sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but it’s essential to stay calm, think on your feet, and find a solution.
I’ve also found that using memes and gifs is a great way to connect. They’re a great way to break the ice and make your mentee feel more comfortable. Just make sure they’re appropriate and don’t offend anyone.
Being a mentor to someone from Gen Z can be an enriching experience. Any time you can help bridge the generational gap is a net positive. Relatability is paramount in any relationship. By recognizing their unique traits and being willing to adapt to their needs, you can help them achieve their goals and succeed in life — at the office and also at home.
So, put on your mentoring hat, embrace your inner humor, and gear up to make a positive impact on the next generation. You might even learn a thing or two from them along the way.
ABOUT JARED SHAPRANSKY
Fuelled by a passion for communications, creativity, and consumer behavior, Jared has spent more than a decade working in brand marketing, creative strategy, and PR, having conceptualized and executed campaigns that have been seen around the globe. Having spent the first half of his career with a large Canadian e-commerce company, Shapransky is also well-versed in the world of retail and understands the importance of the customer feedback loop as it pertains to new media. Topping off his shortlist of dream clients are Major League Baseball and the Just for Laughs comedy festival.
ABOUT THE MOMENT LAB
In 2017, two seasoned professionals decided it was time to take a leap of faith and launch their own agency.
The childhood friends had already registered over 20 years of experience in brand marketing, advertising & public relations. After consulting on the same project, Matt and Jared knew that combining their skill sets would produce a flywheel effect that existing agencies didn’t offer. Built upon the belief that all brands share a need to create memories by manufacturing moments, The Moment Lab was born. They had only one rule: no suits & ties.
Fuelled by shared values, a passion for their work, and a professional network that transcends geographical and industrial borders, The Moment Lab has taken flight as one of the most unconventional, yet effective agencies in North America.
Why we need to laugh at work(Opens in a new browser tab)
In its short history, The Moment Lab has been privileged to create memories for dozens of businesses and individuals ranging from independent artists, to some of the biggest brands in the world.
By Jared Shapransky
