Younger agents want 'instant gratification' but who is to blame?

The younger generation of workers can be more entitled and have a lower work ethic but much of this may come down to training, agents claim.

The latest episode of the Agents MVMT podcast addressed the attitudes to work among new young recruits in estate agency, typically those in their early to mid-20s in Generation Z.

Kesha Foss-Smith of John D Wood said while there are positive that younger people bring in terms of their technological knowledge and perspectives on mental health, she is troubled by the instant gratification she comes across, adding: “We have all worked hard our whole and understand that gratification is something you work for while there are some younger people, particularly in sales, who work hard for two months and immediately want a promotion.

“A lot more people from generation Z seem to be want to be successful but may not understand how long it takes to get there.”

She added that she does like putting older workers - baby boomers - and generation Z staff in the same room as you get the best ideas out of both.
 

Podcast host Ben Madden, of Fine & Country Turnham Green Terrace, highlighted that younger workers have grown up in an environment with instant results.

He added that all generations will have lazy and hardworking individuals, adding that a lot comes down to training so people understand what is expected of them.

Jen Jamieson, sales and marketing director at Fine & Country and director of Jamieson & Jamieson Ltd, added that she has a 21 and 22-year old working for her who are fantastic and have a different way of thinking about work and culture in the office that brings a “refreshing atmosphere.”

Watch the full podcast episode below: