Generation Z as Virtual Assistants

The Collectivist vs. the Individualist

Compared to a lot of Asian countries, the U.S. leans more towards individualistic human nature. Based on a study conducted by Sandra Petronio, cultures differ highly on how each values openness and disclosure, and although the United States is a mixing bowl of diverse cultures, overall, U.S. citizens are still highly individualistic. Individualists above all else value autonomy, independence, self-sufficiency, and uniqueness. This is in contrast with the collectivist ideology which values group dynamics, teamwork, and social cooperation. 

The Pros and Cons 

Both cultures have their advantages and disadvantages in the working environment. A person working in a collective culture will find himself enjoying the advantages of having shared responsibility. Brainstorming is another advantage. Coming up with innovative ideas can be taxing especially when you’re on a tight schedule, and having more brains in a room can help the cause. A team can come up with solutions faster. In a team, there are more angles and perspectives to look at, and no detail is missed. Although teams do perform at a faster rate, sometimes the output isn’t well executed. This often results in conflicts and tension among team members that affect group dynamics and productivity.

However, an individualist will find himself hyper-focused and extremely concentrated on a task. There are few distractions and the deadlines are easily met because there are fewer unnecessary interruptions.

In the cases mentioned above, the individualist worker will have bigger advantages over a collective worker in terms of efficiency. Although both cultures are able to deliver great outputs efficiently, an individualist will find himself hyper-focused and extremely concentrated on a task.

You’ll find that individualists are often artists, writers, and designers because these are jobs that require full immersion, full involvement, and at the same time enjoyment. These workers are the ones who love being in the “zone” and they hate anything that disrupts their workflow. There are no conflicts and you get to hone and showcase your skills without the fear of stepping on anyone else’s shoes

Generation Z as Virtual Assistants

This generation is motivated by financial security because they witnessed their Millenial and Generation X parents struggle to find and keep their jobs, which more often than not, resulted in bad family relationships. They value stability and predictability, above all else, they value their identity, which is why it’s important to them that their identity shows through their works. Independence is also important to them, as they do not want to seem reliant on others, especially their parents who have already been “through enough” hardships in the past. They are also headstrong in looking for jobs that promise competitive salary and professional growth

Because this generation is the most curious, ambitious, and self-motivated, they thrive in environments where they can learn on their own at their own pace. They love a good practical workaround in major problems. Given all the traits mentioned above, it’s no doubt that Generation Z is the best workforce anyone can hire in this day and age. After all, they are the most connected to technology. They get the job done faster than anyone because they prefer to do it alone. Nowadays more and more people from this generation apply for jobs that promise financial stability and provide bigger benefits. Since Generation Z is happier working alone, they’re the ones perfect for work-from-home set-ups such as Virtual Assistants. It doesn’t matter if you’re part of Generation Z or just an individual with the Generation Z mindset. But if you’re one who values personal time and individuality, at the same time looking for an efficient workforce to reduce overhead cost, then why not hire a Virtual Assistant from the VA Hub? Check out www.thevahub.com and see how hiring a VA can help you grow your business.

References:

• https://www.smallrevolution.com/virtual-assistant-salary/
• https://www.personalbrandingblog.com/teamwork-vs-individual-work/#:~:text=Working%20in%20teams%20increases%20collaboration,difficult%20tasks%20and%20increasing%20creativity.&text=Teamwork%20encourages%20communication%20between%20team%20members.
• https://resumeperk.com/blog/teamwork-vs-individual-work-find-your-ideal-option
• https://smallbusiness.chron.com/teamwork-vs-individualism-25597.html
• https://www.careerwise.com.my/291/individual-work-vs-teamwork/
• https://toggl.com/blog/teamwork-vs-individual-work
• https://toggl.com/blog/teamwork-vs-individual-work-which-is-better
• https://strammer.com/en/meet-generation-z/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-individualistic-cultures-2795273

Contributor: Hillary Aguada