How DingTalk Manages Gen Z: Little Secrets to Make Young People Love Work

Understanding Gen Z: What Do They Really Want?

To manage Gen Z effectively, don't rush to enforce attendance checks, hold large meetings, or post KPIs. First, understand this: what exactly are these "digital natives" who grew up immersed in Wi-Fi actually thinking? They don’t dislike work—they dislike being "held hostage by work." To them, going to work isn’t like serving a prison sentence, their desk isn’t a cell, and the打卡 machine is certainly not the end of life. They crave freedom—not the irresponsible kind where they come and go as they please, but the kind that offers flexible hours, open-minded thinking, and respect for self-expression: "freedom of the soul."

Gen Z values self-actualization—words like "you have great potential" mean more to them than a salary raise. They want to be involved in decision-making; they don’t want to just be execution machines, but rather creative powerhouses. A repetitive, cookie-cutter PowerPoint presentation will make their eyes glaze over, but an out-of-the-box project can ignite the entire team’s enthusiasm. They don’t mind working overtime, but hate "meaningless overtime"; they accept pressure, but reject "emotional exploitation."

So instead of trying to "manage" them with traditional methods, inspire them through resonance. DingTalk's flexible attendance, online collaboration, and transparent task allocation perfectly align with their dual desire for "autonomy" and "efficiency." Don’t treat tools as surveillance mechanisms—turn features into bridges that connect not just messages, but also trust and motivation.

DingTalk's Core Features: Making Communication Simple

When it comes to managing Gen Z, don’t assume that "the boss decides everything" still works. This generation of digital natives raised on Wi-Fi won’t buy into that. But don’t worry—DingTalk is your secret weapon! It’s far more than just a clock-in tool; it’s essentially a "Swiss Army knife" for communication. Open instant messaging, create a group chat, and instantly gather young team members scattered across different locations—faster than ordering takeout. Facing an urgent issue? Skip the email—that’s practically a relic from the last century. Simply @mention relevant people in the group and add a voice message; problems get resolved in seconds, boosting efficiency so much it might make your boss question reality.

And here’s something even better—the file sharing feature. No more circulating files named "final_version_really_final_please_dont_edit.doc." DingTalk supports real-time collaborative editing, making it clear at a glance who changed which line. Even Gen Z’s favorite "creative brainstorming" sessions can happen directly on documents with doodles and comments—an ideal collaborative stage designed just for them. Add calendar auto-sync for meetings and deadline reminders, and you’ll never have to worry about someone “forgetting” a meeting again. Combined, these features don’t just simplify communication—they make Gen Z feel “this company gets me,” naturally motivating them to work hard instead of just counting down to quitting time.

Project Management: Seamless Team Collaboration

Who says managing Gen Z is like taming dragons? With the right tools, they’re actually the most efficiency-driven and transparency-loving generation! DingTalk’s project management features are tailor-made for these young people who are "goal-oriented but hate micromanagement." Open the "Projects" module, break a big plan into a series of clear tasks, and assign them to specific team members—just like assigning roles in a game, where it’s clear who’s the “damage dealer” and who’s the “healer.”

Better yet, each task can have a due date, priority level, attached files, comments, and even subtasks. Gen Z won’t need to ask “What exactly am I supposed to do?” because responsibilities and goals are laid out clearly. Managers won’t have to chase people for updates either—just open the Gantt chart or Kanban view to instantly see who’s falling behind and who’s ahead of schedule. For example, when planning a brand pop-up event, you can list tasks like “venue confirmation,” “poster design,” and “KOL outreach,” assign them to different members, and set up automatic reminders. Whenever someone completes a task, the system automatically notifies the whole team, maximizing a sense of achievement.

With real-time progress tracking and comment features, teamwork stops being a “he said, she said” mess. This not only boosts efficiency but also makes young employees feel “I am seen.” After all, who wouldn’t love a work environment that’s both clear and engaging?

Motivation Systems: Making Work Fun

In Gen Z’s world, the idea that “going to work is like going to prison” simply doesn’t fly. They don’t want roll calls at the打卡 machine—they want meaningful achievements that don’t drain their soul. DingTalk understands this well. It’s not just a cold, mechanical office tool; it can transform into a “workplace motivation DJ,” using a series of creative features to get young people laughing while they work. Ditch the traditional “performance reviews” that scare people—try DingTalk’s “Honor Wall” feature instead. Whenever someone finishes a task quickly or delivers an outstanding creative idea, the system automatically generates a recognition card in the group chat, complete with animated stickers and cheer sounds, instantly turning top performers into team “influencers.” Even better, managers can set up a virtual badge system—titles like “Night Owl Warrior,” “Communication Guru,” or “Slacking Slayer.” They sound silly, but young people love it. They’ll voluntarily work overtime just to collect a full set of badges. Then there’s the “Energy Points” system: completing tasks, clocking in on time, or helping colleagues solve problems all earn energy points, which can be redeemed for flexible working hours, limited-edition merchandise, or afternoon tea funds. Is this kindergarten? No—it’s psychology-powered, high-efficiency motivation. Meanwhile, DingTalk’s calendar and group event features make it easy to organize “anti-hustle board game days” or “roast sessions,” helping teams build emotional bonds in a relaxed atmosphere. When work becomes fun, efficiency naturally skyrockets—why can’t seriousness and happiness coexist?

Continuous Improvement: Helping Teams Grow

1. Do you think sending a red envelope or giving a thumbs-up counts as managing Gen Z? Wake up! True experts “raise” their teams using data and feedback. DingTalk does more than just clock in and send announcements—it’s practically a “team mind reader.” Want to know what young employees are really thinking, even if they won’t say it aloud? Use the survey feature to quietly launch an anonymous poll like “Rate your boss,” and you’re guaranteed some eye-opening “surprises.”
2. Don’t fear negative feedback—Gen Z hates “fake harmony” the most. DingTalk’s suggestion box feature can be set to automatically collect feedback on a schedule, just like an office version of a “whispering tree hole,” minus the cotton candy. Review it before each weekly meeting, and address seemingly “small” issues like “the boss talks too long” or “lunch break isn’t long enough to binge-watch shows.” Team trust will skyrocket instantly.
3. Even more powerful is data analytics—Who’s slowing things down? Which process is stuck? DingTalk’s project statistics make it crystal clear. Notice that Xiao Wang mysteriously goes offline every Friday afternoon? It might not be laziness, but rather an overly complicated workflow. Instead of blaming people, use data to optimize processes so everyone can “get things done smoothly and happily.” When improvements hit the mark, Gen Z will genuinely say: “This boss? Actually has some skills.”

DomTech is DingTalk’s official designated service provider in Hong Kong, dedicated to serving a wide range of customers with DingTalk solutions. If you’d like to learn more about DingTalk platform applications, feel free to contact our online customer service, or reach us by phone at (852)4443-3144 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We have an excellent development and operations team, along with extensive market service experience, ready to provide you with professional DingTalk solutions and services!