Jodie Foster says Gen Z is ‘really annoying’ in the workplace, but worth mentoring

Famous actress and True Detective: Night Country star, Jodie Foster, recently sparked an interesting conversation about the work habits of Gen Z in the entertainment industry. In a candid interview with The Guardian (via EW), Foster shared his thoughts on working with younger generations and described them as “really annoying” at times. However, she also highlighted the importance of mentoring them and helping them face the challenges of the industry.

Foster’s comments reflect his experiences working alongside Gen Z individuals, typically those born between 1997 and 2012, many of whom are emerging talents in Hollywood today. While she didn’t mince words in describing some of their work habits, she also revealed his commitment to guiding them, drawing on her own journey in entertainment.

In his interview, Foster highlighted some aspects of Gen Z’s work style that he finds frustrating. She noted their tendency to arrive at work later than expected, with statements such as, “No, I’m not feeling it today. I’ll come at 10:30.” This contrasts with the traditional punctuality often associated with older people. generations.

Foster also talked about their approach to communication, particularly via email. He mentioned that he had found grammatical and spelling errors, on which he would provide feedback. In response, Gen Z would question the need for such meticulous attention to detail, asking, “Why would I do that, isn’t that some kind of limitation?” Gen Z obviously has a more casual and relaxed attitude towards formalities in written communication, which may differ from the expectations of Foster’s generation.

Despite his comments of frustration, Foster believes in the potential of the younger generation. Drawing on his own experiences growing up in the entertainment industry, he expressed a deep commitment to mentoring and guiding them.

Foster shared, “I reach out to young actresses a lot. I’m forced. Because it was hard growing up.” She went on to stress the importance of teaching young actors how to relax and be themselves, rather than feeling the pressure to conform to industry standards. He believes in helping them discover their unique qualities and strengths, which he finds to be a more fulfilling path.

The director said: “They need to learn to relax, to not think about it too much, to find something that is theirs. I can help them find it, which is much more fun than being, with all the pressure behind it, the protagonist of the history.”

While he admits that some aspects of Gen Z’s approach to work are “annoying,” he still sees potential in this generation. One thing is for sure: if you want to make it in the entertainment business, you have to work hard and make smart decisions. Even in this case, success is not guaranteed! So if there is a lot of laziness, I’m not sure how these people will be able to succeed.