Gen Z + The Soft Skills Gap

If integrity is defined as the courage to meet the needs of reality (Dr. Henry Cloud).

Then Gen Z is in trouble when it comes to the real world skills needed today.

Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

And I’m all about doing what’s opposite of generational stereotypes to differentiate yourself.

So for the focus today, let’s discuss the following points:

1. 40% of companies offer basic soft skill training for new employees; 2/3 of them view the program as highly successful.

2. Interpersonal skills & problem solving are two skills highly valued by employers.

3. Professional/career development is #2, right behind salary as most desired by employees.

Soft Skill Training

Now you may be wondering why companies would offer soft skill training to new employees because it should be common sense that workers already have these basic skills intact.

But you’re wrong, what is defined as “common sense” these days has changed.

For Gen Z, they grew up with technology and their lives have never been without it.

COVID shut down schools for an extended period where remote learning and isolation took over.

Essentially soft skills were lost and now we’re paying the price as a society for it.

Soft skill training such as: holding a conversation, how to write a professional email and public speaking is needed to keep up with the demands of today.

Whether you agree or disagree, you need your younger employees to be able to effectively communicate with customers and employees.

Therefore equip them with the needed (soft) skills.

Interpersonal Skills/Problem Solving

If you’re used to communicating through text messages, social media platforms and gaming outlets it’s going to translate to in-person interactions.

That’s the issue, here’s the solution:

Role playing, group discussion and practicing soft skills through workshops.

Soft skills, such as interpersonal skills and problem solving, are like a muscle…

The more you develop them, the stronger they get (versus a lack of use = atrophy)

• Starting and holding a conversation is a needed skill in sales.

• Flexibility/adaptability in the moment can mean the difference between a one-time and returning customer (just ask Yelp).

• Your ability to read the situation and respond appropriately shows emotional intelligence.

Do you see the value of investing in your employees’ soft skills now? (especially after you spent endless time and expenses on applications, interviews and hiring/onboarding)

Professional/Career Development

Here’s a secret: younger employees want to be mentored.

One of the main reasons why people leave their jobs is because of a lack of growth opportunities.

75% of people leave their jobs because of a poor manager.

Translation: a manager’s lack of soft skills chases talent away.

See, the importance of soft skills are company-wide (no level is off limits!)

Here’s how training “math” leads to high retention rates: the more you invest by training your people, the longer they stay - for every $1 spent on leadership training your business profits $4.15 in return (Training Industry Magazine)

People are your company’s greatest asset; treat them like it.

I hope you now have a better understanding why soft skill training is so important to your company’s success.

This is NOT just a young person’s problem, but it has been highlighted because of recent research.

It really takes a combined approach of speaking, training and coaching to fix the problem.

Anything else is just a band-aid for the moment.

I’ll save you some time by sharing some testimonies of past clients I’ve worked with.

And remember, the cost of doing nothing is losing your top talent to your competition because they ARE offering soft skill training.

Reply HELP to this email or risk the above happening to you.

God Bless,

Scott

P.S. If you’re a numbers/data person, check out the stats on the ROI of soft skills below👇