Exploring Generation Z Teachers’ Work Values: Implications to Educational Leadership and Management

Abstract

Being a leader or a manager in today’s organizations has become even more challenging due to increased workplace generational diversity. Gen Z teachers belong to the newest generation who have officially joined the workforce, making schools home to four different generations with unique work values. As more generations of teachers enter the workforce, one-size-fits-all management and leadership style becomes no longer applicable. Therefore, it becomes imperative for the school leaders and managers to better understand how to effectively lead and manage these generations to create an appropriate working environment that will facilitate the growth of every teacher. The main objective of this study was to explore the work values of Gen Z teachers using the phenomenological approach of qualitative inquiry. It employed a semi-structured interview as the primary data collection procedure conducted with seven purposively chosen teachers and thematic analysis to determine the themes. The study revealed that Gen Z teachers give importance to both intrinsic and extrinsic work values. They value personal skills development, professional growth and development, personal achievement and recognition, healthy working relationships, teamwork, collaboration in the workplace, work-life balance, and job and financial security. The study further revealed that Gen Z teachers’ work values positively affect their job motivation, job satisfaction, and performance. This suggests that if the organization implements policies and strategies that coincide with the work values of its Gen Z teachers, teachers will most likely perform well because they are motivated and satisfied with their job. With these findings, it is recommended that school leaders and managers should consider Gen Z teachers’ work values in crafting school policies and management strategies.

Generational Differences: The Role of Attitudes and Work Values on Performance in Department of Health and Civil Registration Service of East Nusa Tenggara Province

“…Focus more on retirement time so you don't think about doing productive things. In contrast to Gen Y, the results showed that leadership style has a positive effect on job performance, which is in line with research by Steinmann et al (2018), Venida (2022), andHasmin et al (2022) who suggests that leadership is the application of various behaviors and methods, leading members to achieve common goals. Throughout this process, leaders interact with members and influence each other to complete tasks and achieve goals.…”

“…Research from Venida (2022) obtained the results that work values influence performance, work attitude also influences performance, and generational differences moderate the relationship between work values and performance. However, several research results are inversely proportional to the benefits arising from generational factors having different work values (Cennamo & Gardner, 2008;Haryokusumo & Wibowo, 2019).…”

“…The quality of an organization really depends on its leadership (Naz et al, 2020). In fact, leadership is an important issue in all types of societal activities and group interactions because leadership constantly influences behavior and interdependent relationships (Venida, 2022). This is why leaders are important in any organization.…”

Assessing the Work Performance of Vocational High School Teachers in Gunung Kidul: A Survey

“…This reflects an inclusive and collaborative work culture among SMK teachers in Gunung Kidul. Additionally, most respondents also reported a positive attitude towards teamwork, indicating that they have a constructive work orientation and support each other in team collaboration Venida (2022). suggests that improving teachers' commitment to the organization can be accomplished by strengthening teamwork, implementing effective situational leadership by the principal, and nurturing strong self-efficacy among teachers.…”