As the workplace continues to evolve, one challenge remains strenuous for leaders and managers across the board: effectively managing and mentoring the next generation, Generation Z, born in 1995 or later. In Barend's upcoming keynote, he'll explore what it takes to understand and work with emerging talent.

In finance, law, tax, … precision and reliability are non-negotiable values, and it's natural to expect that the upcoming workforce will respect these principles. Yet, managing and mentoring young professionals demands more than just an adherence to tradition. To build a thriving, cohesive team, we must move beyond viewing them through our own generational lens.

Shedding Our Own Lens

The first step in bridging the gap between generations is to understand that we cannot look at the next generation purely through our own experiences and expectations. Generation Z is shaped by a world of fast-paced digital transformation, social consciousness, and a desire for purpose and balance. This generation seeks roles that offer flexibility, growth, fulfilment and… fast money. For many in finance, these values may seem at odds with the industry's traditional emphasis on stability and rigor.

Barend will explain why it’s essential to move beyond this established perspective. Viewing the new workforce with fresh eyes will be necessary to make generations work together rather than clash.

Understanding the Differences: What Makes the Next Generation Tick?

Barend will share with you the results of a very recent survey he conducted himself. It gives an insight into the values, expectations and aspirations of Generation Z and how they differ from previous generations.

Generation Z isn’t simply “another wave” of professionals. They thrive in collaborative environments where their ideas are valued, rather than hierarchical structures where authority is rarely questioned. Digitally fluent, flexible and smart. But also opportunistic, impatient and subject to killer peer pressure.

This generation prioritizes work-life balance, values mental health, and is unwilling to give up these values in favour of other values such as entrepreneurship or relentless growth. This shift requires us to embrace change ourselves. In this upcoming keynote, Barend will outline how adapting to these values isn’t about compromising standards; it’s about evolving to meet the demands of an industry that is as dynamic as the people entering it.

Practical Tips for Managing and Mentoring the Next Generation

Bridging generational differences requires a toolkit of new strategies and skills, and Barend will share a set of practical approaches tailored specifically to the needs of accountants and financial professionals.

In essence, managing the next generation isn't just about guiding new talent; It is about evolving with them and being able to evolve them. We cannot simply revert to ‘our’ recipes of the past to shape the future. On the other hand, we cannot and should not throw everything overboard to allow a new generation to have its way. We do not need to tear down the house, but we do need to rearrange and refresh the rooms.

Barend has been advising professionals since 1997, primarily supporting law firms, legal departments, and notaries, with additional experience across accounting, public affairs, and architecture firms. Find out more about FrahanBlondé here.