For decades, the traditional model of "understudy" has been the backbone of career development. The output with understanding is priceless. Your end goal is to learn by doing, shadowing, putting in long hours, and embracing the grind.
This apprenticeship wasn’t just about mastering the technical aspects of a job—it was about cultivating resilience, perseverance, and problem-solving skills in the face of challenges. Most people who knew what it meant enrolled in it for career development and even when this was more common among non-corporate roles it became clearer that the results from this were more rewarding than what it used to be.
Though this model might seem outdated to some, it teaches one crucial skill that technology or shortcuts can’t replace—grit. The ability to push through, adapt, and grow despite difficulties is what separates good professionals from great ones.
The Igbo Apprenticeship Model: A Lesson in Grit
The Igbo apprenticeship system wasn’t just about learning a skill. It was about building character, resilience, and a deep understanding of how to solve problems on the fly. It taught young people how to handle failure, manage customers, and run a business from the ground up. More importantly, it showed them that success doesn’t come easy. You had to put in the work, and that’s where grit came in.
Statistics show most who had served as apprentices had more street knowledge and street social capital and could exchange this knowledge for goodwill which can be converted into monetary rewards compared to expectations from white-collar employers who could be narrow-minded as to what capital could mean. Newsflash The apprentice isn't just open to brown or blue-collar roles but are mainstream collaborative skills needed at work
While this model might see
The Gen Z Approach: No Stress, Just Flow
Fast forward to today. Gen Z, with all the digital tools at their disposal, has a different take on work. They’re not interested in spending years grinding away in silence. They want flexibility, creativity, and to make an impact right now. They value mental health, work-life balance, and purpose-driven work.
This approach has given rise to innovative solutions, startups, and a culture of quick adaptation. Gen Z is incredible at leveraging technology to work smarter, not harder. But there’s a risk of losing something crucial: grit.
While technology and creativity can open doors, the path to real success—whether in entrepreneurship, a corporate career, or personal growth—still requires resilience. You’ll still face setbacks, challenges, and failures. Grit is what will get you through those tough moments.
The Gen Z Prototype: No Stress, Just Flow
Gen Z has a different approach, often opting for a more fluid, no-stress career path where creativity and innovation take center stage. This generation is the first to grow up fully digital, with limitless access to information and opportunities. They don’t see the point of unnecessary hustle when technology can simplify so much. We have heard different conversations from HR Professionals on how employees resigned on Twitter or the recent one we saw circulating today one who was corrected for letting the company lose some money and had to resign that ( after citing mental health as an alibi)
While this mindset has produced a generation that’s quick to adapt, creative, and unafraid to challenge the status quo, there’s a danger of losing the value of grit. Innovation and disruption are great, but the truth is, that any path to real success will always involve moments of struggle and perseverance.
Grit isn't suffering Grit is patience to understudy after reading everything you are exposed to Grit is sticking it when you are clueless but certain because you have seen it work with your boss or mentor you can pull it off again. Grit is a must for us hence our team is co-creating workshops for the Next generation at work because of the change in the workplace
Charles umeh
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