Can Gen Z’s ‘big talk’ trend really help your career?

Credit: Adobe

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Can Gen Z’s ‘big talk’ trend really help your career?

By Maisie Peppitt

4 months ago

5 min read

The younger generation isn’t afraid to skip past the small talk and have deeper conversations. Experts explain how taking a leaf out of their book in the realm of work could benefit both your career and your mental health.


If the phrases “toodaloo” or “good morning Veronika” strike a chord with you, then you’ve probably landed in #corporatetok. TikTok creators like Laura Whaley and Tony Animation have gained millions of followers in recent months thanks to their hilarious yet educational demonstrations on how to use ‘big talk’ in the workplace.

From setting boundaries with your manager to negotiating a pay rise, these sketches ring true for young twenty-something employees across the world, who are learning as a collective to prioritise their own needs over those of their company.

Gen Z’s career hack for getting ahead has coined the term ‘big talk’. And the unexpected part? It’s actually working. According to research by ADP, the growth of Gen Z’s rate of promotion into management is faster than for all other generations before it. 

What is big talk at work?

If you shut your eyes and picture a 90s office, what do you see? Probably a lot of boxy computers, pinstripe suits and stacks of paper on the brink of collapse. And, in the other corner, a water cooler with a few employees huddled together exchanging news in hushed tones.

Thanks to its reputation as the birthplace of corporate gossip, water cooler chat has become synonymous with office small talk. Many promises of promotions, pay rises and progression schemes have been made over a simple trip to the water cooler – or coffee machine, local cafe… you catch my drift.

But Gen Z is here to change that. Since the digitally native generation moved into the working world in tandem with remote working, it’s understandable that their perception of a normal professional environment may look a little different from that of a millennial. For a typical Gen Z employee where the option to work from home is assumed and the prospect of after-work drinks has become a relic of history, their communication style in the workplace has evolved considerably. Instead of relying on small talk to hedge around uncomfortable topics like salaries, overtime, and annual leave, Gen Z approaches the topic head-on by using ‘big talk’, which involves articulating their wants and desires with remarkable confidence.

And if they don’t get what they ask for? No biggie. According to Fortune, members of Gen Z are switching jobs at a rate 134% higher than they did in 2019. 

So, it begs the question… 

lips talking conversation

Credit: Adobe

Is big talk really the answer to getting what you want in your career? 

“Gen Z is better at asking for what they want in the workplace in comparison to previous generations,” career coach Lucy Gilmour tells Stylist. “It’s probably partly due to social media, as they feel more empowered to voice their needs. Gen Z is also more driven by purpose in their careers. Rather than favouring job security and company loyalty like past generations, it’s now more about what’s right for the individual, and their own beliefs and values.”

Instead of living by the belief system of a business, Gen Z’s understanding of their own needs and values takes priority. But before you practise your poker face, it’s worth caveating this new communication style with a warning.

“The problem is, Gen Z can be quite impatient,” Gilmour explains. “Due to the nature of our digital world, self-gratification is so instant nowadays, and they often expect the same from the traditional working world. But unfortunately, the reward is rarely immediate.”

Perhaps patience and graft still have a place in the modern workplace after all. But taking a leaf out of Gen Z’s book, how can older generations use ‘big talk’ to improve their career?

Lucy’s advice: “Be prepared and know what you want. Gen Z employees tend to be incredibly clear on what they ask for, so make sure you go into a meeting with your objectives in mind.”

Does big talk leave room for company culture?

“The consequence of communicating exclusively in big talk at work is that it could polarise individual employees,” Gilmour notes. “If everyone is out for themselves, it becomes quite a toxic work environment where teamwork becomes a concept of the past.

“Nevertheless, it’s a vast improvement on the workplace culture for past generations, where work-life balance was never a topic of conversation. It may seem selfish, but the younger generation understands the importance of balance.”

Money and progression aside, Lucy’s insight is a good nudge to rethink the real value of big talk in the workplace: mental health. If big talk allows you to ask for what you need to maintain work/life boundaries and prioritise mental wellbeing, that can only be a positive thing. 

“This is extremely important,” says Dr Sophie Mort, a clinical psychologist from Headspace. “When we set boundaries, we create an environment in which we feel calm and safe, knowing that we will have the energy and resources we need to do our jobs.”

laptop with speech bubble at work conversations

Credit: Adobe

How to set boundaries at work with big talk

Dr Mort offers a five-step plan to set boundaries in your career: 

  • Clarify your role and responsibilities: Clearly communicating what tasks fall within your role can prevent others from overloading you with work that isn’t your responsibility.
  • Master time management: Setting limits on your work hours helps prevent burnout.
  • Learn to say no: Politely declining additional work when you’re at capacity is crucial.
  • Maintain professional relationships: Boundaries between personal and professional life help avoid blurred lines.
  • Request support when it’s needed: Setting boundaries also involves knowing when to ask for help, such as reaching out for resources or clarifying tasks to avoid being overwhelmed.

How can big talk benefit our mental health?

Dr Mort says: “Big talk can help build trust, collaboration, and openness within the workplace that boosts creativity, problem-solving and general wellbeing. However, conversations like this come with vulnerability, meaning these kinds of conversations must be done sensitively. Also, employees need to see their managers engage in big talk so they know it is safe for them to open up at work. Otherwise, this will not work.”

As a member of Gen Z myself, I’m relieved to be part of this shift. When it comes to my career, I’m not afraid to want more, aim higher or say no when expectations weigh too heavy on my shoulders… all of which can fall under that big talk label. But while Gen Z has popularised this approach, big talk is something everyone can benefit from. We can all do with getting more comfortable chatting about the ‘big’ stuff at work, whether that’s fair pay or maintaining boundaries. Go big or go home, right?


Images: Adobe

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