Slay and serve: How Gen Z is rewriting the communication rules at work
Gen Z’s direct style of communication in the workplace can often be misinterpreted as rude, while to them its just how they would communicate on a day to day basis.
ILI LIYANA MOKHTAR06 Jan 2025 05:05pm
Photo for illustrative purposes only. - Canva
I often found them rude, with little to no regard towards formalities in a working environment.
The millennial in me inwardly cringed at every exchange with a much younger colleague, thinking, “If this is how the younger generation operates, we are doomed.”
Everything was literal and they said what they meant without a second thought.
In hindsight I have come to appreciate the style of direct communication that comes with the younger set. One phrase often pops in my mind: “At least they’re honest.”
If you’ve worked with them, you’ll understand. Consider Gen Z’s strong inclination to challenge the conventional roles of manager and employee.
Rather than simply complying, Gen Z workers are more willing to question their employers. Instead of a harsh “Do what I say because it’s your job,” they expect understanding and empathy in return.
This isn't necessarily a terrible thing; when I reflect on some of my early professional experiences, I wonder if compassion could have improved my rapport with managers or inspired me to work more effectively.
Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is the youngest and fastest-growing generation in the workplace.
As their numbers grow, their experience with technology, global connectivity, diversity, and digital transformation is reshaping workplace communication, collaboration and organisational culture.
According to co-author of the book Work Wellbeing by Mark Mcrindle, while older generations “code switch” at work by adopting formal language, gen Z does not.
And here comes the tricky part, Gen Z’s direct style of communication in the workplace can often be misinterpreted as rude, while to them its just how they would communicate on a day to day basis.
An executive at a local company here, Syaida Samah 41 agreed that Gen Z is changing the tone (or the vibe, as it were) of professional communications, with their preference for casual language creating new norms.
“It can be a bit direct at first to get used to, but the positive side of working with Gen Z’s is their creative input and their tech know-how.
“Communication gaps aside, I think the older generation needs to adapt and find a happy balance where everyone can work effectively without getting offended by communication styles,” she said.
Syaida said Gen Z also keeps the work environment light and fun which can help defuse tension in some situations.
Now comes the main issue, is being direct necessarily a bad thing in work settings?
In Malaysia, many workplaces remain largely traditional and prefer formal values, while newer, younger companies are better at adapting to Gen Z’s casual communication style.
Anecdotal and quantitative evidence alike showed the shift.
For instance, videos have been going viral on social media showcasing the informal ways Gen Z workers have been signing off their emails.
As reported by Fast Company last year, a video with nearly 9 million views highlighted professional sign-offs such as “bless up,” “mean regards” and “another day another slay,” while another video with 873,000 views, included phrases like “stay litty” and “pop off.”
How does this work in a more formal setting like a goverment office for example?
Civil servant Fatimah Zahra 40 said that her younger colleagues are generally more outspoken and direct.
“There are more questions and discussions happening as compared when I first entered the workforce.
They are definitely direct with their ideas and needs in the workplace,” she said.
Fatima added however, those working in the government are often trained to recognise what is considered ‘too casual’ or what forms of communication are unsuitable not work for a highly formal environment.
The clash of communication styles between Gen Z and older employees is significant globally, including in the Asean region.
According to a 2024 Asean Workplace Trends Report, over 57 per cent of Gen Z employees in the region prefer environments that support quick, informal communication.
They prioritise transparency, speed and egalitarian structures, in contrast to older generations who value hierarchical respect and formal decorum.
In Malaysia, respecting elders is a cultural norm, and younger employees pushing for flat structures sometimes clash with long-established hierarchies.
The snack media generation
The direct communication style of Gen Z is often linked to studies indicating that this demographic has the shortest attention span compared to previous generations.
Studies revealed that the timeframe to capture their attention is typically no longer than 8 to 12 seconds.
This brief span has earned them labels like the 'instant generation' or the 'snack media generation'.
Scrolling, swiping, clicking... The speed at which their eyes and minds move from one piece of information to another is both remarkable and startling.
Consequently, their level of content consumption is significantly high.
A case in point: Sarah, a 55-year-old project manager in Kuala Lumpur, has developed her career in a hierarchical society that values formal and courteous communication.
Daniel, her 25-year-old marketing assistant, on the other hand, values efficiency and informal interactions.
For instance, Daniel sent Sarah an email saying, "Hey Sarah, I'm taking tomorrow off." Many thanks!"
While Sarah found this interaction to be rude and inappropriate, Daniel however, thought his quick email was conscise and saved both their time, so he was perplexed by her irritation to the email.
Bridging the gap: What’s the right way?
Contrary to popular belief in some older generations, Gen Z doesn’t tend to display significant fragility.
Rather, they simply want to hear the unvarnished truth spoken kindly.
Being opaque or disingenuous won’t win them over.
They’re often unafraid to call attention and demand the truth.
This tendency can make it more challenging to win them over or encourage them to conform to established workplace rules or boundaries.
Older employees may find Gen Z’s communication style overly casual, viewing it as disrespectful to established norms.
On the other hand, Gen Z often feels that formal communication slows progress and hinders collaboration.
For example, a survey of Filipino workers revealed that 62 per cent of senior employees believe younger colleagues frequently disregard workplace traditions, while 68 per cent of Gen Z employees think the workplace needs to be more inclusive and collaborative.
As Malaysia’s population continues to age and the workforce evolves, it is crucial to re-evaluate how others interact with their younger colleagues.
After all, they would be stepping into key management roles as older employees move up or retire.
Blending tradition with modernity will be essential to fostering collaboration, innovation and healthy workplace environments that leverage the strengths of every generation.
