Walk into any retail store, call center, or tech startup today, and chances are you’ll find Gen Z on the frontline.
Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation is fast becoming the largest part of the workforce—already making up nearly 30% of workers in industries like hospitality, retail, and technology.
With Gen Z comes a fresh wave of communication styles. Think emojis, memes, short-form videos, and a casual tone. It’s not about speaking in TikTok slang, but if your internal communications feel too stiff or outdated, you risk being ignored. Let’s explore how internal comms teams can adapt—without sounding cringe.
Why This Matters for Internal Comms
Internal communication is the lifeline of a healthy workplace. But when it sounds too formal or robotic, younger employees tend to scroll past or tune out.
- 74% of Gen Z workers say they feel disconnected from company-wide messages when the tone doesn’t feel relevant or human.
- A tone that feels “corporate” can make leadership seem out of touch, even when the message is important.
It’s not about being “cool.” It’s about being real. Younger workers are fluent in informal, digital communication—and to truly engage them, you have to meet them halfway.
What Younger Employees Respond To
Here’s what works with Gen Z when it comes to internal communication:
- Conversational tone and plain English – No jargon, no fluff.
- Visuals and short-form content – Memes, GIFs, short videos, and carousels keep them engaged.
- Cultural awareness – Smart references are welcome, but don’t force it.
- Personalized and bite-sized messaging – Think quick updates, not long memos.
- Two-way communication – They want to react, respond, and be heard through polls, emojis, or comment threads.
This generation expects communication to be a conversation, not a monologue.
How to Adapt Without Sounding Cringe
Here’s how internal comms teams can evolve their strategy without losing authenticity:
1. Keep it casual—but professional
Drop the corporate speak. Write like you talk. Use contractions, simple words, and active voice. You can sound friendly and respectful at the same time.
2. Be aware, not performative
There’s no need to sprinkle in “vibe check” or “sus” in your CEO update. But understanding Gen Z culture can help avoid tone-deaf messages. Stay in the know, but stay real.
3. Co-create content
Involve Gen Z employees in message creation. Ask Employee Resource Groups or younger team members to preview important updates or help create content formats they relate to.
4. Use formats they already love
Mobile-first messaging, vertical videos, and interactive stories are all Gen Z-friendly. Internal polls, emoji reactions, and fun digital signage can turn boring updates into moments of engagement.
Tools and Techniques to Stay Current
Keeping up with a digital-first generation doesn’t have to be hard. Use these tools:
- Subscribe to Gen Z trend newsletters like Morning Brew, Vox, or The Hustle to stay in tune with changing preferences.
- Track engagement analytics to see what content styles and formats actually work.
- Use generative AI to experiment with different tones or formats—just be sure to human-check for clarity.
- Create a feedback loop with employees under 30—ambassador groups or quick surveys can help you evolve with them.
Internal Comms Platform for Gen Z
Sparrow Connected is a trusted internal communications platform designed for the modern workplace. Our mobile-first, omnichannel platform makes it easy to reach your entire workforce—no matter their age, role, or location.
From interactive digital signage and targeted push notifications to video updates and real-time employee feedback tools, Sparrow Connected helps you speak the language of today’s workforce. Organizations choose us because we don’t just build features—we evolve continuously, incorporating feedback from companies like yours to improve and stay ahead.
If you're struggling to engage Gen Z employees or want a smarter way to reach a multigenerational workforce, Sparrow Connected has the tools and support to make it happen.
Speak to Be Heard
You don’t have to speak Gen Z fluently—but you do have to meet them halfway. By adopting a more conversational tone, using formats they prefer, and involving them in the content creation process, your internal comms will feel less like noise and more like a connection.
Let’s make your comms click.
Talk To Us Today and discover how Sparrow Connected can help you engage every generation of your workforce.
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