Why Gen Z are not just focused on Digital Skills — and why that’s a good thing.
- tonimlowney
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
I have been working with exceptional graduate talent for over 20 years and I’ve seen how the needs of early-career professionals are shifting. It’s not about building more digital skills—they’ve got those covered. More than ever, it is about creating spaces where soft skills, emotional intelligence, and human connection are valued just as highly.
When I work with the newest faces in the workplace, eager, digital-first, full of potential, I keep hearing the same thing “What I really want to learn is how to connect with people.”
That’s Gen Z in a nutshell. Born into smartphones, raised on Wi-Fi, and fluent in apps before they could tie their shoelaces, this generation enters the workforce with native digital skills. But they also carry the weight of growing up in an era marked by social isolation, global uncertainty, and ever-shifting digital norms.
And, they know what they are missing.
Whether it’s due to lockdown-era education, perpetual screen time, or the disconnection that often comes with hyper-connectivity, many Gen Z professionals are craving something more human in their development journey: interpersonal skills.
Think empathy. Team communication. Conflict resolution. Active listening. These aren't just “nice-to-haves” they’re the core competencies of thriving in a modern, collaborative workplace.
So, what should we, as leaders and mentors, do?
Let’s rethink our learning & development strategies. Let’s stop assuming every new graduate employee wants another digital certificate and instead create environments where psychological safety, authenticity, active listening, deep co-creation and meaningful connections are a key part of the curriculum.
Because Gen Z doesn’t need help with technology —they need a safe space to open up and connect with each other.
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