I basically think that as long as you do your job well, that's all that matters. However, 9:01 is not 9 o'clock, which is a saying about the younger generation being disrespectful. Today, we have another coffee time like this. Actually, I have a topic I want to discuss with you, so I made a request. What is it? Well, I was looking at the internet, and I've been seeing a lot of articles about the MG generation lately. Since we recently welcomed a new MG employee, and I also belong to Generation M, I'm really curious about your thoughts on this MG generation. Okay, sounds good. Please ask away. Typically, when we talk about the MG generation, one of the things that's often mentioned is their very unique and expressive work attire. What do you think about that kind of office dress code? Are you referring to outfits that may not be considered appropriate for business? Yes, that's right. Well, first of all, I basically think that...

I think that as long as you do your job well, that's enough. However, on the other hand, considering the nature of our industry, since we provide professional services, it seems that people who dress well tend to perform better in their work. Taking that into account, how I dress does have significance; it’s not just about being comfortable and improving efficiency, but also about showing respect to others. This is especially important in our industry, which we cannot overlook. But then again, I wonder if other professions are the same. I’m not sure; it could be. For example, in startups, people often dress very casually. But as for the cozy cropped tops, I'm not sure about that. Yes, I see.

So, what do you think about arriving at work on time and leaving right on time? I don't think this is something specific to MG. It's not that they don't adhere to punctuality. Anyway, there seems to be a discussion about whether we should arrive by 9 AM or whether we can start working from that time. For example, I used to work at a company called Baedal Minjok, which is a delivery service. They had a lot of interesting slogans, and one that I remember is You can eat chicken, but I will take care of my weight. There was also a slogan that said, 9:01 is not 9 o'clock. I think this clearly conveys the message of taking responsibility for one's own work.

The phrase going to work at 9 is not a right but rather an expectation between parties. We should adhere to such expectations. If working hours are flexible, that's one thing, but if not, then arriving at work on time is a natural expectation. As for leaving work on time, I am cautious about expressing my views because I don't want to come off as old-fashioned, but I believe that as long as one performs well at their job, that should be the main consideration. I think evaluations can be made accordingly. 

Now, moving on to the third point, there’s a character that has recently gained a lot of attention, the bright-eyed madman. This character wears earphones and has improved work efficiency because of them. What are your thoughts on this character? The implication here is that it disregards consideration for others and focuses solely on oneself.

You're talking about a situation where someone is really focused and working alone, right? Yes, that's correct. Well, if I can communicate well with the person next to me and there are no issues, I don't think that's a problem. However, there could be concerns about attitudes that people working together might have. But if there's no room for misunderstanding as a colleague, I don't think it would be an issue. For instance, I try to have a focused time in the morning when I come to work, so I try not to be disturbed during that period. Isn't that similar? Now, regarding the fourth point, what do you think about the individualism of the MG generation, particularly their reluctance to participate in company dinners or group events? In our company, I feel that employees seem to want to participate, especially here.

However, when I go to Korea every couple of months, I thought people would expect it, but it seems like that’s the case. There were discussions about this during our time as well, regarding the characteristics of the MG generation. It seems that the younger generation tends to avoid company gatherings and has a stronger individualistic approach. Well, if it’s not taken to an excessive level, then I think it can create a more relaxed atmosphere. Through that time, people can get to know each other better and clear up misunderstandings, which seems to have some value.

Of course, personally, I don’t want to be in that situation. After work, I just want to go home and not be disturbed. While there are varying degrees of this feeling, I believe it can be handled wisely. So, what do you think about this culture of honesty among the MG generation, where people don’t feel the need to read the room?

However, on the other hand, this could also be a communication skill that shows consideration for the other person in conversation. If we think about it, it’s about trying not to hurt someone's feelings and being considerate. To put it more bluntly, it’s an expectation that we shouldn’t behave rudely. As you know, our company has a culture deck, and there are two important points related to communication that I clearly remember. First, let’s not speak behind someone's back; if you can’t say something to someone directly, don’t say it behind their back. We must consciously keep this in mind. Secondly, there is no change of heart. Even if we think, “Oh, they’ll understand this without me saying it,” if these assumptions pile up, it can lead to an explosion at some point. We should not default to thinking that someone will understand our feelings about a certain matter without us expressing it.

They say that we should always communicate by defaulting to opposition. However, this isn't easy. There are cultural differences, personality differences, and various backgrounds that come into play. Therefore, I intentionally try to have tea time and spend time with couples, as I'm not sure how effective it will be. I believe that everyone's efforts are necessary, and through this, we can create a desirable culture where we can communicate proactively and candidly without being overly cautious. I'm really glad that I can have this tea time. Now, for the final question: they say that a fact-based rational thinking style is a characteristic of the MG generation. What are your thoughts on this? And...

I'm curious about what you think of the American MG. What do you think about the American MG? Do you think it will be different? I don't think so; I believe it's all the same. There's a lot of rationality and good discussions, and these issues have existed across generations. There seems to be a generational gap. There's a saying that in the past, there were laws about gifts and such, and it was mentioned there. I don't know if the claim that young people these days are spoiled is true, but I think it's not a new conversation. I also believe that when I was part of the new generation, I referred to it as such. I evaluated it the same way: individuals have strong opinions and lack a sense of community. Was it only my generation that experienced this? My next generation experienced it too, and the one after that had similar issues. And now, regarding the MG generation...

There is also a similar situation, and then our previous generation would not have existed. Of course, they existed. So, I don't think those aspects are unique to any particular generation. What I actually want to discuss is that perhaps eliminating the myths surrounding age and generations is even more important. For example, does being older mean knowing more, being mature, and wise? I don't think so. Or does being younger mean lacking experience and therefore lacking wisdom? I don't think that either. Personally, I believe that once someone is in their late teens or early twenties, it’s just a matter of individual differences; I don’t think there is an absolute difference based on age. Would I say that someone who is much more mature than I was 20 years ago?

I don't think that just because someone is 20 years older than me, they are necessarily much more admirable or have more to teach me. Conversely, just because someone is significantly younger than me, I don't assume that I am superior or that they lack maturity. Therefore, when someone tries to assert authority based on age, I personally find it quite absurd. Of course, as a Korean, I also can't help but feel a certain way when younger people do various things, and it's true that I sometimes feel restricted by that. However, what I want to convey is that, paradoxically, if we consider what I just mentioned, being younger does not necessarily mean one should face disadvantages.

I mentioned that being young doesn't mean lacking anything. However, there's another aspect to consider. People often think that being young is always a disadvantage, but that's not the case. Just because someone is young doesn’t mean they are automatically inexperienced or inferior. In the same way, when young people grow older, they will face similar situations. For instance, will I suddenly become a great super character 20 years from now? That won't happen. People today are just like everyone else, and they too will eventually be treated as part of the older generation. If someone believes otherwise, it would be a self-deception. Ultimately, if I become complacent, I too will find myself in a situation where I am seen as an old-fashioned person. Therefore, there's no room for arrogance. An example that often comes to mind is when singer Park Jin-young spoke with younger people.

I think that person said something like that. They are someone who is in a similar relationship. I said, Oh, it must be nice for you. I thought that if you had done these things, I would also grow in that way and do even better than you by the time I reach your age. That was the kind of conversation we had. When Park Jin-young heard that, he responded, Well, go ahead and try hard. You might be able to do well. But when you're doing that, I won't just sit still. He also bluntly pointed out, Who says you'll be able to do as well as me when you reach my age? I hope he can keep those parts in mind. That's all the questions I wanted to ask for now. Thank you so much for sharing such great advice and opinions today. But now that we've talked about it...

At the end, I wonder if I might have come across as a bit cynical, but that wasn't my intention. Ultimately, due to my absolute age, I don't face any disadvantages, but I also don't think it makes me more advantageous. I think that's what I was trying to convey. I've mentioned this in other contexts as well, but there was an experience that really stuck with me throughout my life. After finishing my military service, I returned to school in 1999. I resumed my studies after completing my first semester of my third year, and I was also minoring in business administration. So, I took classes with the first-year students majoring in business administration. In my mind, I thought of myself as a returning student among these young kids, but there were large lecture halls. While there are smaller classrooms, this was...

In the introductory course of management, the professor was still active at that time, and he was probably in his late fifties. He was a very energetic and dynamic person. He was not only a professor at the business school but also ran his own business and had a consulting practice. He had a personal assistant and was involved in many activities. During class, he often shared with the students what projects he was currently working on. One day, he mentioned an incident that had happened the day before and suddenly asked the students, Who do you think is younger, you or me? At that moment, I felt a thrill; it was electrifying.

You know the intention behind what he was trying to say. Ultimately, it was a very provocative question. It wasn't about age in an absolute sense; rather, it was about how I think and act that determines your youth. So, I remember that not because someone told me to, but because it was a significant event that had a huge impact on my life. In that sense, for those of you watching this, rather than defining ourselves by generations like the MG generation or any other, if we continue to strive for development and improvement, I believe we can remain youthful for as long as we want. I will also try my best without being complacent or feeling intimidated by my age. Thank you for your wonderful words today, and I will ask for your guidance again next time.

MZ세대

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