Tue Sep 24 04:04:31 UTC 2024: ## Gen Z Workers Need to Fail, Not Be Coddled, Says Expert
**New York, NY** – As more and more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, managers are struggling to find the right balance between support and tough love. Sophie Riegel, a best-selling author and expert on intergenerational relationships, argues that coddling Gen Z workers can actually be detrimental to their development and resilience.
“It’s tempting to protect them from failure, but we’re doing them a disservice,” says Riegel. “Gen Zers need to experience setbacks and learn from them. It’s how they build the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the long run.”
Riegel cautions against common pitfalls, like offering immediate feedback when a Gen Z employee is upset, or assuring them they won’t make the same mistake again. Instead, she recommends allowing employees to express their emotions, then providing feedback once they’ve calmed down. Open, non-judgmental questions that encourage self-reflection are key to fostering growth and accountability.
“Clean questions, like ‘What factors do you think contributed to this outcome?’ or ‘What did you learn from this experience?’ are far more effective than accusatory statements,” explains Riegel.
Riegel also advises against taking tasks away from Gen Z employees who have failed, as this can create a sense of dependency and discourage future initiative. By giving them the space to learn from their mistakes, managers are ultimately helping them to become more capable and resilient individuals.
The article concludes with a call for a nuanced approach to managing Gen Z employees, one that emphasizes the importance of allowing them to fail and learn from their mistakes. By striking the right balance between support and accountability, managers can foster a healthy and productive work environment for all generations.
First Piper 