You’ve probably heard the usual complaints… Gen Z are ruining everything! Apparently. Napkins, 9-to-5s, the concept of staying in one job for more than a year. But maybe they’re not ruining anything. Maybe they’re just better at knowing when something’s past its sell-by date.
When it comes to change, they’re actually ahead of the curve. And if you’re running a business (or even just thinking about starting one), there’s a lot the rest of us could learn.
Let’s get into it.
They’re Built for It
Gen Z didn’t exactly grow up in a world that stood still. Social media platforms come and go. Algorithms change every five minutes. One day you’re trending, the next you’re lucky if your mum likes your post.
So, naturally, they don’t see change as a crisis. It’s just… normal.
Take the young founder who starts out selling crochet bucket hats, then quietly swaps to running a digital marketing agency after demand dries up. No drama. No hand-wringing. Just a quiet pivot and carry on.
According to IMA Worldwide, the most effective change strategies tend to be the ones that embrace flexibility from the start — and that’s something Gen Z seems to do without even trying.
They Don’t Cling to Being Right
Here’s what’s brilliant about a lot of Gen Z founders. They’re not too precious. They’ll try things, see what sticks, and ditch what doesn’t without making it a whole identity crisis.
There’s something to be said for that. They don’t sit around waiting for something to magically improve. They adjust quickly. Change direction. Refine. Rethink. And they don’t treat it as failure, just part of the process.
It’s the kind of mindset that works perfectly for small, fast-moving businesses. Launch a basic version, get feedback, fix what’s not working. Simple as that.
And the ego? Not really part of the equation. Which makes everything just that little bit easier.
They Know How to Shift Without Making It Weird
Let’s be honest! Most of them are absolute naturals at updating their image. One day it’s pastel branding and funky fonts, the next it’s minimalist greys and soft serif typefaces. And somehow, it all still feels like them.
It’s not about being flaky. It’s about knowing how to tell a story that evolves. They use Instagram captions, TikToks, newsletters or whatever they’ve got to bring people along with the change rather than springing it on them like a dodgy rebrand no one asked for.
If you’re not great at this stuff yet, a few quick wins:
- Keep your feedback loops short (don’t wait six months to change what clearly isn’t working)
- Talk to your audience while you’re figuring things out, not just after
- Don’t faff about trying to make it perfect. Just make it make sense
Final thought
Maybe the real secret to being good at change isn’t about being fearless. It’s about paying attention, staying honest, and not hanging on to something that’s clearly run its course.
So, if your business feels like it’s stuck in the wrong gear… maybe it’s time for a bit of a rethink?
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