Greetings, manager!
Pretending Elon doesn’t exist, and that the apocalypse isn’t really upon us- I’m going for an AI theme this week. More than one friend has told me they aren’t keeping up with the tech of the youth, so I’ve chosen my fave questions, focused on the speed of advance in the workplace.
So pour yourself something warm (or chilled, depending on your hemisphere), and let's dive into this week's questions about navigating the brave new world of AI in the workplace.
AI assistant or AI crutch?
A girl in my team is fab, she's so fun and I genuinely think she wants to do a good job. She's 25 and I love her energy- but she's clearly using ChatGPT for everything (did someone say 'double hyphens'). I want to be tech-forward, but it's really annoying when she's trying to cut corners. I've mentioned it to her and she either denies it or says she used it as a starter. Help.
I don't know how old you are, or even how you feel about tech, but this question is coming across a tiny bit bitter... are you sure you're mad at her using tech? Or are you mad about the output? Two different things.
This is going to be a classic feedback scenario:
Situation Behaviour Impact
You need to work out the impact of her behaviour, and how and why it's having a negative impact. Is it that the double hyphens make her look lazy? If so, that's really clear-cut. Is it that you think the output overall isn't so great- because if so, you're going to need to get very specific: why is it not good; what is wrong with it; and what does great look like?
If the work is fine and you just don't like American spelling, give that short sharp feedback, get over it, and thank her for saving time. And maybe up the workload a bit...
Left behind or looking forward?
How do I teach office etiquette, when to me it feels like it should be common sense? Recently, I've had one team member appear on a Zoom call vaping, one come to an in-person meeting with AirPods in, and another message the CEO on Teams instead of calling them (which led to a rather upset CEO). Am I the one who needs to adapt to the changing norms, or do I need to address this with the team?
I’m not saying you do (or should!) miss the days of expensing strippers and drinks in nightclubs, be there is something about 'the good ol’ days' we just don't get in the office in 2025. You should recognise that certain elements of office behaviour, such as how someone presents themselves in professional client meetings, may be non-negotiable. These are your red lines- areas where clarity and consistency are essential.
But in other areas where you don't have these lines, it's equally vital that you show some flexibility, adapting your style to accommodate a blend of generational perspectives. Remember that Gen Z experienced many formative years behind a screen during COVID. They may believe their unfiltered selves are suitable for the office environment, lacking the cues we had to learn through direct experience- like when I wore a skirt too short on my internship and someone dragged me in a room to tell me.
As you navigate this, delineate your red lines and boundaries, but also explore the rationale behind them. For example, if the CEO is upset about a Teams message instead of a call, delve into that reason. Do they seek the reassurance of a direct conversation, or are they simply adhering to an outdated notion of how things should be?
In these moments, distinguish between 'should' and 'right', allowing you to honour essential traditions while embracing the evolution of workplace culture. As much as the idea of someone wearing AirPods in front of me makes me cringe, I suppose there was a time when leaving at 4PM for the school run was just as frowned upon…
That's it for this week, as the sunshine tempts us all back outside. As always, keep those questions coming, and I'll do my best to offer some clarity (or at least commiseration).
Bee