Michelle Obama has come under fire for advising Generation Z on navigating the workplace, with critics arguing her experience is out of touch with today's realities. Speaking at a podcast recording in London, the former US first lady said: 'One thing that's important is to learn how to do something you don't like to do and be good at it.' She added that bad bosses and boring jobs are all part of learning resilience.
However, commentators have pointed out that Obama, now 62, has not been an employee for decades and grew up in a very different world of work. The current job market is tough, with many Gen Z workers starting in empty offices or from home, facing the added threat of AI to their careers and support systems.
Early studies on AI's social impact show users reporting lower trust in colleagues, weaker team coordination, higher burnout and greater feelings of isolation. This contrasts sharply with the workplace camaraderie that previous generations could rely on to build resilience.
Critics argue that advising Gen Z based on outdated experiences is unhelpful, especially after their education and social lives were disrupted by the pandemic, and they face uncertain economic futures. The article suggests that the only sensible advice to offer is what they actually ask for.
