CURATED READS FOR GEN Z—AND THEIR Z-CURIOUS COLLEAGUES

first up

Welcome back—this week I commit the cardinal sin of being a joke explainer. 

If you search “Why is Gen Z humor …” the first autofill result (at least for me) is “Why is Gen Z humor broken?” 

Gen Zers have a language all their own, with a complicated lexicon of in-jokes, memes, and internet culture references. It’s different from previous generations’ humor; it’s chaotic, based in absurdism, and often with no punchline. In the office, it can easily leave more senior coworkers baffled.

So why does it matter? Do other generations really have to get the joke? Well, humor is a stronger force at work than you might expect. Humor releases hormones that make us feel happier and less stressed and can be key for trust between coworkers.

And laughter goes a long way toward creating a positive work environment—it’s the number-one predictor of employee psychological safety, according to a survey by McKinsey senior partner Aaron De Smet and coauthors. If your employees feel safe, they’ll work better and like work more, possibly keeping retention up and attrition down.

In fact:     

Gen Z is no different; our jokes might be quirkier, but we too crave connection at work.

A quick tip about Gen Z humor: as noted earlier, it’s often based in absurdism. Punchlines tend to come from misdirection or surprise rather than a good setup, or they make so little sense the only thing to do is laugh. The universe is irrational, so we just roll with it, using humor as a coping mechanism; a New York Times opinion piece argued that “Gen Z is cynical. They’ve earned it.”

We often use sarcasm to face uncertainty and blow air out our noses (the classic “internet laugh”) at memes about the stresses our world is facing. Humor lets you sit with a thing without feeling like you’re drowning in it—and these days, there’s a lot to sit with. 

Plus, equality and inclusion are no joke to us; absurd humor means that no one person or group is the butt of the laugh. It’s just funny; it’s not “making fun.” Everyone can be in on it. 

Humor is key if you’re trying to engage Gen Z consumers, too—51 percent of Gen Z said brand accounts were one of their biggest influences when shopping. Brands are buying into increasingly ludicrous social media tactics, from unhinged mascots to customer-mocking “customer service,” to win younger eyes.

So while not everyone has to appreciate a “stonks” joke—it’s a 2017-era meme of “stocks” misspelled, and yes, it’s still hilarious—enhancing creativity can be one side of the triangle for driving company growth. That’s something we can all smile at.  

QUOTE US ON IT

“‘Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?’ At age 16, 18, or 20, people are largely saying yes. At age 23, the answer quickly becomes no—and we don’t start laughing again until we retire. We go to work and we stop laughing.”

—Stanford faculty members Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas on the “humor cliff” that kicks in around the time you start your first job

WAIT, DON’T SCROLL

Is it safe? Creating a healthy space where employees feel seen is crucial. Here’s an overview (and a chance for a deeper dive) if you’re looking to improve your team’s well-being.

Junk causing a funk? While marathoning your favorite shows is tempting, there’s an ugly tinge that comes with the binge—passive consumption fails to provide the social nourishment you need. Playfulness with friends, family, and coworkers can be more vital than it seems. 

It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a dad joke. Humor can be a superpower in business—check out two Stanford lecturers’ guide to exploiting the neuroscience of nuttiness. 

NOT US; STILL GREAT

Down the fun-way. Europe’s largest airline makes a business of trolling its own customers online—and here’s why that’s hitting all the marks for Gen Z. [Washington Post]

Are thumbs up? Much has been made of a suggestion that the thumbs-up emoji has been “cancelled” in the workplace—whether or not things are as drastic as all that, Gen Z definitely believes in “emoji nuance” with coworkers. [Insider]

Source material. The internet is the supreme breeding ground for Gen Z humor, and we’re soaking it all in. As the world’s most digital audience, we spend two-thirds of our media time online. [What’s New in Publishing]

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— Edited by Sarah Skinner, Gen Z curation editor, New York