Leadership Expectations of Generation Z Teachers Working in Educational Organizations

Abstract

Generation Z, known as millennial children, includes those born from 1995 to 2010, the period when the Internet and social networks became widely used, global communication increased, tolerance was given to different cultural elements, and there was flexibility. The aim of the present research was to establish the leadership expectations of teachers belonging to Generation Z working in educational organizations in the context of school principals. In this context, focus group interviews consisting of semi structured questions were conducted with thirteen teachers from Generation Z currently working in public schools in our research conducted with a phenomenological design. Considering the findings, the leadership expectations of the Generation Z teachers in the behavior sub-theme of inclusivity involved sincerity, flexibility, warm communication, horizontal relationship, consistent behavior, supportive behavior, motivating, problem solving, and smiling. In the sub-theme of competencies, they focused on innovations, communication skills, technological competence, mentoring, competence in the field, being solutionoriented, being a researcher, taking initiative, financial management skills, and entrepreneurship competencies. In the values sub-theme, they included being fair and compassionate, altruistic attitude, respect for differences, sensitivity, patience, empathy, and openness to criticism. In the sub-theme of characteristics, they focus on being charismatic and democratic, openness to innovations and teamwork, analytical skills, project orientation, and determination.

Keywords

• generation z
• leadership
• school principals
• generation z teachers
• generation z expectations

References

1. Adams, W. C. (2015). Conducting Semi-Structured Interviews. K. E. Newcomer, H. P. Hatry &J. S. Wholey (Eds.). Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation(pp. 492-505). Jossey Bass.
2. Aguas, M. J. (2019). Millennial and Generation Z’s Perspectives on Leadership Effectiveness. Emerging Leadership Journeys, 13(1), 1-22.
3. Andrea, B., Gabriella, H. C., & Tímea, J. (2016). Y and Generation Zs at Workplaces. Journal of Competitiveness, 8(3), 90-106. Doi: 10.7441/joc.2016.03.06
4. Balan, S., & Vreja, L. O. (2018). Generation Z: Challenges for Management And Leadership. Proceedings of the 12th İnternational Management Conference. November 1st-2nd, 2018, Bucharest, Romania.
5. Bernier, L. (2015). Getting ready for gen Z. Canadian HR Reporter, 28(19), 11-16.
6. Boyle, E. (2021). 4 Things Gen Z and Millennials Expect From Their Workplace. Obtained From:https://www.gallup.com/workplace/336275/things-gen-millennials-expect-workplace.aspx
7. Bresman, H., & Rao, V. (2018). Building Leaders for the Next Decade: How to Support the Workplace Goals of Generation X, Y and Z. INSEAD Emerging Markets Institute.
8. Bresman, H., & Rao, V. D. (2021). What Generations X, Y and Z Want From Leadership. INSEAD Emerging Markets Institute.

9. Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research Methods in Education. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
10. Craen, L. (2019). Generation Z: Addressing Leadership Challenges. Obtained From:https://www.euruni.edu/blog/generation-z-adressing-leadership-challenges/
11. Crunch, B. (2015). How will gen Z disrupt the workforce? Obtained From: http://fortune.com/2015/05/22/ generation-z-in-the-workplace/
12. Csobanka, Z. E. (2016). The Generation Z. Acta Technologica Dubnicae, 6(2), 63-76. Doi: 10.1515/atd-2016-0012
13. Çetin, M., & Demirbilek, M. (2020). Generative leadership scale development study. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 35(4), 887-903. Doi: 10.16986/HUJE.2019052441
14. Demirbilek, M., & Çetin, M. (2021). Okul Müdürlerinin Üretken Liderlik Davranışları. Asya Studies-Academic Social Studies/Akademik Sosyal Araştırmalar, 5(16), 51-78. Doi: 10.31455/asya.885656
15. Flippin, C. S. (2017). Generation Z in the Workplace: Helping the Newest Generation in the Workforce Build Successful Working Relationships and Career. Candace Steele Flippin.
16. Francis, T., & Hoefel, F. (2018). ‘True Gen’: Generation Z and its implications for companies. NY: McKinsey & Company.
17. Gabrielova, K., & Buchko, A. A. (2021). Here comes Generation Z: Millennials as managers. Business Horizons, 64(4), 489-499. Doi: 10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.013
18. Gall, M., Gall, J., & Borg, R. (2007). Educational research: An introduction (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education.
19. Grow, J. M., & Yang, S. (2018). Generation-Z Enters the Advertising Workplace: Expectations Through a Gendered Lens. Journal of Advertising Education, 22(1), Doi: 10.1177/1098048218768595
20. Howe, N. (2014). Introducing the Homeland Generation. Obtained From: http://www. forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2014/10/27/introducing-the-homeland-generation-part-1-of-2/
21. Hürriyet [Online] (Şubat 03, 2017). Türkiye’de görev yapanlar: En genç öğretmenler [Those who work in Turkey: The youngest teachers]. Obtained From: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/egitim/turkiyede-gorev-yapanlar-en-genc-ogretmenler-40354229
22. Jenkins, R. (2019). This Is What Generation Z Wants Most From Managers. Obtained From: https://www.inc.com/ryan-jenkins/this-is-what-generation-z-wants-most-from-managers.html
23. Kislik, L. (2020). Leaders, This Is How To Work With Gen Z Employees. Obtained From: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizkislik/2020/07/16/leaders-this-is-how-to-work-with-gen-z-employees/?sh=5d0cc9bc2b63
24. Kohnová, L., Papula, J., & Salajová, N. (2021). Generation Z: Education In The World Of Digitization For The Future Of Organizations.15th International Technology Education and Development Conference (Online Conference). 8-9 March, 2021. Doi: 10.21125/inted.2021.2126
25. Krueger, R. A.,& Casey, M. A. (2000). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
26. Kvale, S. (1996). Interview: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
27. McGaha, K. K. (2018). An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of America’s Emerging Workforce: Exploring Generation Z’s Leadership Preferences (Dissertation of Doctor). University of Phoenix.
28. McCrindle, M., & Wolfinger, E. (2010). The of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations. University of New South Wales Press
29. Merrıam, S. B. (2018). Nitel Araştırma: Desen ve Uygulama İçin Bir Rehber (Çev. S. Turan). Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
30. Miles, M, B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded Sourcebook. (3nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
31. Nassaji H. (2015) Qualitative and descriptive research: Data type versus data analysis. Language Teaching Research, 19(2), 129-132.
32. Oeken, A. B. (2018). 11 Things to Know and Expect from Generation Z. Obtained From: https://www.cose.org/en/Mind-Your-Business/HR/11-Things-to-Know-About-Gen-Z
33. Padgett, D. K. (2017). Qualitative methods in social research (3rd ed.). Sage.
34. Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Adm Policy Ment Health., 42(5): 533–544. Doi:10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y.
35. Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Sage Publications.
36. Regan, R. (2020). Everything You Need To Know About Generation Z In The Workplace in 2021. Obtained From: https://connecteam.com/generation-z-in-the-workplace/
37. Sanchez, C. (2014) Unstructured Interviews. In: A. C. Michalos (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. Doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3121
38. Seemiller, C., & Grace, M. (2018). Generation Z: A Century in the Making. London: Routledge.
39. Silva Sousa, R. C.,& Colauto, R. D. (2021). The Y and Generation Zs in Accountancy Graduate Programs and Work Values. Journal of Education and Research in Accounting, 15(4), 450-466. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17524/repec.v15i4.2975
40. Sumitani, A. (2020). A Leader's Guide to Successfully Managing Gen Z. Obtained From: https://www.tinypulse.com/blog/a-leaders-guide-to-successfully-managing-gen-z
41. Tari, A. (2011). Generation Z. Budapest: Tericum Könyvkiadó.
42. Tarı-Kasnakoğlu, B., Türe, M. and Kalender, Y. (2020), Generation Z in Turkey: A Generation with High Hopes and Big Fears. E. Gentina and E. Parry (Ed.) The New Generation Z in Asia: Dynamics, Differences, Digitalisation (The Changing Context of Managing People), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 167-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-220-820201017
43. Turner, A. (2015). Generation Z: Technology and Social Interest. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 71(2), 103-113. Doi: 10.1353/jip.2015.0021
44. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu [TÜİK] (2021). Adrese Dayalı Nüfus Kayıt Sistemi Sonuçları 2020 [Address Based Population Registration System Results 2020] (Haber Bülteni). Obtained From: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=37210
45. Wilson, V. (2011). Research Methods: Descriptive analysis. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 6(4), 177-179.
46. Workforce Institute (2019). How to Be an Employer of Choice for Gen Z: Fulfilling The Next-Generation Workplace Wish List. Kronos Incorporated.