4 Power Skills We Can’t Take For Granted Anymore And How To Develop Them

Many business leaders will avoid hiring recent graduates due to a lack of soft skills—which is all the more reason to invest in training them.

Many recent college graduates lack soft skills

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Does Gen Z have the ability to function well at work? Not all of them, according to a recent survey which found that 40% of business leaders do not believe recent Gen Z college graduates are ready for the workforce. The top reasons cited were lack of work ethic and communication skills.

It’s a worrying number. Of those who harbor doubts about Gen Z’s workplace readiness, 88% say their unpreparedness is worse today than of their counterparts more than three years ago. And worse yet: if given a choice, 94% of these leaders say they choose not to hire recent graduates if possible.

Whatever your preferred designation for these types of skills—soft skills, power skills, people skills, or my own term, professional skills—it’s becoming more and more evident that they’re in short supply, especially among the younger generations. Why is this happening?

“Many younger people spent significant portions of their formative years learning and working virtually, which limited opportunities to focus on and develop power skills,” says Fredrick Scott, VP, Early in Career Recruiting and Talent Acquisition & Talent Development DEI at ServiceNow.

Christina Gialleli, Director of People Operations at Epignosis, concurs. “The pandemic played a major role in limiting Gen Z’s ability to develop the crucial soft skills they need in a work setting such as communication, collaboration and teamwork,” she says.

To delve deeper into the current state of Gen Z at work, I recently connected with Scott and Gialleli for an email conversation covering the soft skills gap, Gen Z’s training priorities and how employers can invest in the careers of their young workforce.

Gen Z needs to skill up—and some know it

According to an Epignosis survey, 31% of working Gen-Zers struggle to cope with pressure and stress in their place of employment. And while a majority (64%) feel their education prepared them for the workplace, many realize it didn’t teach them everything they need to know to succeed at work.

“Gen Z and recent graduates are placing a huge emphasis on career growth,” says Gialleli, noting that 49% want to develop leadership and management abilities and 48% prioritize soft skills training at work.

“Across all industries, we’re seeing an emphasis on skills-based learning and development, using technology to better understand the skills people have and the skills they need to grow themselves and drive business outcomes,” says Scott. “The skills that were relevant 10 years ago may have changed or need to be applied differently today.”

The case for training soft skills

Soft skills used to be a nice add-on to workforce training, but all that has changed as a tech-driven work environment has made human skills paramount. Nor can such skills be taken for granted by business leaders.

“Recognizing and investing in the early careers of Gen Z is pivotal,” says Gialleli. “Data strongly suggests that they’re drawn to employers who show a genuine dedication to their growth and success. By providing customized learning opportunities, companies not only foster loyalty and retention but also increase engagement. And these, in turn, lead to improved business outcomes and nurture a work culture that aligns with the aspirations of this emerging workforce.”

Scott agrees. “At the end of the day, organizations should be focused on developing leaders at every level, and they should view technology as a tool that enables growth and development,” he says. “Helping Gen Z professionals develop power skills in ways they like to learn can contribute to productivity gains, increased engagement, higher retention, and a high-achieving organization.”

4 key power skills we all need

Whether you’re a member of Gen Z or not, the following four skills are among the most important to develop in a fast-changing workplace.

1. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence—being able to recognize and manage both our own emotions and those of others—is a foundational ability that enables the development of many other power skills.

“The importance of emotional intelligence cannot be overstated or overlooked,” says Scott. “It acts as a compass in the professional landscape, guiding individuals through complex interpersonal interactions and challenging situations.”

In fact, it’s questionable if a person lacking emotional intelligence can become an effective leader. “Emotionally intelligent leaders usually foster trust and cooperation by acknowledging and addressing team members’ emotions,” says Scott.

Additionally, says Scott, emotional intelligence is central to conflict resolution. “People higher on this intelligence scale tend to maintain composure, make sound judgements, and approach disputes with empathy and a focus on problem-solving rather than defensiveness,” he says.

2. Communication

Developing emotional intelligence is a building block of strong communication, which Scott defines as a trifecta of power skills like collaboration, delegation and the ability to motivate teams.

And of course, good communication is not just about sending a message, but also being able to receive one. “Gen Z professionals who possess these skills can truly understand their colleagues’ perspectives, actively listen to their concerns, and work together harmoniously,” says Scott. “These skills are instrumental in creating a positive workplace and are crucial in achieving collective goals.”

As with emotional intelligence, conflict can offer a valuable training ground for workers to develop this particular ability. “When we resolve conflicts successfully, we enhance our ability to empathize, negotiate effectively, and find constructive solutions,” says Scott. “In this way, conflict becomes a classroom for power skill development.”

3. Adaptability

If we’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s that change is inevitable and unstoppable. “In our personal and professional lives, we need to demonstrate the ability to adapt, evolve, and grow,” says Scott. Hence the growing need for the power skill of adaptability.

“Adaptability and a willingness to embrace new experiences position individuals to navigate the ever-shifting professional landscape and market with ease,” Scott continues. “Those who can readily integrate new technologies and keep up with dynamic industry trends create higher probabilities for long-lasting careers and sustainable relevance in a work environment that’s always changing.”

4. Critical thinking

Like me, Scott sees critical thinking as a rising power skill that will become even more important as companies embrace AI and automation. “While some fear that AI and automation will replace jobs, we are optimistic that these technologies will augment workers, freeing their time to focus on high-impact, strategic tasks,” says Scott.

But for workers to use AI effectively, they must develop the skill of critical thinking. “Critical thinking involves the art of analyzing information, evaluating incongruence, and making well-informed decisions,” says Scott. “In any profession, the ability to think critically is paramount. It enables professionals to navigate complex challenges, and pinpoint opportunities for improvement.”

Helping Gen Z power up

“The key to helping recent graduates and young hires gain the right skills is engaging in discussions with them about their training preferences and needs, as well as their career aspirations,” says Gialleli. “Given that this generation of employees are digital natives, it is important to deliver training through mobile platforms, breaking sessions into bite-sized modules, and incorporating interactive video content.”

Scott agrees, pointing to three major features of effective skills training:

Digital learning and microlearning. “Gen Z tends to favor shorter, focused lessons delivered through digital and mobile platforms. Microlearning techniques, such as breaking down complex power skills into bite-sized modules, are beneficial as they cater to Gen Z’s preference for more concise learning experiences,” he says.
Gamified learning. “Elements like leaderboards, badges, and rewards can motivate Gen Z to actively participate in skill development,” says Scott. “Within these games, scenarios can be designed where they practice decision-making, conflict resolution, and teamwork in a risk-free environment. Gamification not only makes learning fun but also provides opportunities for practical application, a key aspect of mastering power skills.”
Personalization and self-reflection. These features, says Scott, allow Gen Z to set their own goals for power skills development, take ownership of their learning journey and improve self-awareness. “Many companies provide tools that make it easy for employees to assess and discuss growth opportunities with their managers,” he says. “Giving all employees the ability to track, visualize, and document skills development makes the learning process more relevant and engaging.”

Power skills have always been important, but they can no longer be taken for granted. Focusing on skills like emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability and critical thinking is vital not just for Gen Z workers, but for everyone who wants to thrive at work. Unlike technical competencies that are always evolving, such power skills will remain relevant throughout all the changes coming to the workforce.