s the world seems more and more unsettled, there is a crisis brewing that isn’t between nations, but a conundrum among nations. How do we revolutionize the workforce to ensure that the world is meeting the demands of tomorrow’s jobs today?
Many countries, including the U.S., are focusing on workforce preparation to address national competitiveness in a changing geopolitical environment. Workforce preparation includes advocating for policies that promote skills development, adaptation to AI, protecting intellectual property, and aligning industry with training. It’s a vision of integrating practical focus on emerging technologies to ensure that the workforce is indeed prepared for the jobs of the future.
However, as companies focus on the digital shift and competitiveness, a vital element—emotional intelligence—is frequently overshadowed. One would think that younger workers, Gen Z, would be the natural for filling the gap, but there is troubling evidence of a different kind of crisis among younger workers, which I call the soft skills tsunami.
What is the Soft Skills Tsunami?
While younger workers are technologically savvy, many young people entering the workforce are often challenged when it comes to critical soft skills needed to be successful. Important attributes including communication, teamwork, problem solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are often coming up short. As education systems traditionally focus on technical learning, these Covid–era graduates missed critical social–emotional learning from in–person instruction—and unstructured social interaction with classmates—and the readiness of the workforce has paid the price. Employers are struggling to find young workers who can navigate professional settings, engage with diverse groupings of individuals, and handle the unpredictable emotional environments common in workplaces.
Data shows that with more and more frequency, managers are preferring not to hire Gen Z in the marketplace. According to online education magazine Intelligent.com, 1–in–5 managers in the U.S. have considered quitting due to the stress of overseeing Gen Z workers and 75% of managers indicate that Gen Z requires more time and resources than employees of different generations.
Why the struggle with soft skills?
- Digitally Communication Raised The prevalence of online tools limit face–to–face interactions, which are crucial for developing interpersonal skills. Young workers rely heavily on texting and social media, which can hinder their ability to communicate effectively in–person.
- Educational Skills Traditional education systems often emphasize technological skills and academic knowledge over soft skills. As a result, students may graduate with strong technical abilities, but lack proficiency in soft skills.
- Cultural and Generational Styles Differences between communication styles and expectations between generations can create challenges for younger workers in adapting to workplace norms.
- Stress and Mental Health The emerging workforce spent a portion of their formative education years in a Covid environment. The pressures of modern life, including economic uncertainty, have impacted mental health, making it difficult for younger workers to manage work and handle stress—key components of emotional intelligence.
So how can we rescue younger workers from being drowned by this soft skills tsunami? Many companies are leaning into investing in soft skills and emotional intelligence development, with promising results. Google, Microsoft, and Apple have invested significantly in programs that focus empathy, communication, and interpersonal skills. Companies have shown that prioritizing emotional intelligence through tailored training sessions have resulted in higher employee retention rates and enhanced productivity.
To help stem the tide of the soft skills tsunami among younger workers, we need to:
- Prioritize Education and Training Incorporate soft skills training into education curricula and professional development programs.
- Mentorship and Coaching Pair young workers with mentors or coaches who can provide guidance, feedback, and support in developing their soft skills. Mentors can offer insight into workplace dynamics and help young workers navigate challenges.
- Encourage Real–World Experience Promote internships, volunteer opportunities, and part–time jobs that offer exposure to diverse work environments and require interaction with colleagues and customers.
- Foster a Supportive Work Environment Create a workplace culture that values and encourages the development of soft skills. Provide opportunities for collaboration, open communication, and feedback.
- Promote Self–Awareness and Reflection Encourage young workers to engage in self–reflection and mindfulness practices to enhance self–awareness and emotional regulation, which are critical components of emotional intelligence.
The rapid rise of technology is transforming the workplace. Companies will need to rely more and more on younger workers. By investing in emotional intelligence and soft skills, companies can foster a new era of competitiveness, sustainable growth, and extraordinary success. As nations strive to become more competitive, we need to ensure that all workers can contribute to a more harmonious and productive workplace.
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Tomorrow’s work force facing a “soft skills tsunami”
Image via Adobe Stock.
May 27, 2025
As the developed world looks at an aging workforce, a crisis is brewing among younger workers. Martha Newton looks at how to address the “Soft Skills Tsunami” that is enveloping younger workers in the United States and around the world.
W
s the world seems more and more unsettled, there is a crisis brewing that isn’t between nations, but a conundrum among nations. How do we revolutionize the workforce to ensure that the world is meeting the demands of tomorrow’s jobs today?
Many countries, including the U.S., are focusing on workforce preparation to address national competitiveness in a changing geopolitical environment. Workforce preparation includes advocating for policies that promote skills development, adaptation to AI, protecting intellectual property, and aligning industry with training. It’s a vision of integrating practical focus on emerging technologies to ensure that the workforce is indeed prepared for the jobs of the future.
However, as companies focus on the digital shift and competitiveness, a vital element—emotional intelligence—is frequently overshadowed. One would think that younger workers, Gen Z, would be the natural for filling the gap, but there is troubling evidence of a different kind of crisis among younger workers, which I call the soft skills tsunami.
What is the Soft Skills Tsunami?
While younger workers are technologically savvy, many young people entering the workforce are often challenged when it comes to critical soft skills needed to be successful. Important attributes including communication, teamwork, problem solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are often coming up short. As education systems traditionally focus on technical learning, these Covid–era graduates missed critical social–emotional learning from in–person instruction—and unstructured social interaction with classmates—and the readiness of the workforce has paid the price. Employers are struggling to find young workers who can navigate professional settings, engage with diverse groupings of individuals, and handle the unpredictable emotional environments common in workplaces.
Data shows that with more and more frequency, managers are preferring not to hire Gen Z in the marketplace. According to online education magazine Intelligent.com, 1–in–5 managers in the U.S. have considered quitting due to the stress of overseeing Gen Z workers and 75% of managers indicate that Gen Z requires more time and resources than employees of different generations.
Why the struggle with soft skills?
- Digitally Communication Raised The prevalence of online tools limit face–to–face interactions, which are crucial for developing interpersonal skills. Young workers rely heavily on texting and social media, which can hinder their ability to communicate effectively in–person.
- Educational Skills Traditional education systems often emphasize technological skills and academic knowledge over soft skills. As a result, students may graduate with strong technical abilities, but lack proficiency in soft skills.
- Cultural and Generational Styles Differences between communication styles and expectations between generations can create challenges for younger workers in adapting to workplace norms.
- Stress and Mental Health The emerging workforce spent a portion of their formative education years in a Covid environment. The pressures of modern life, including economic uncertainty, have impacted mental health, making it difficult for younger workers to manage work and handle stress—key components of emotional intelligence.
So how can we rescue younger workers from being drowned by this soft skills tsunami? Many companies are leaning into investing in soft skills and emotional intelligence development, with promising results. Google, Microsoft, and Apple have invested significantly in programs that focus empathy, communication, and interpersonal skills. Companies have shown that prioritizing emotional intelligence through tailored training sessions have resulted in higher employee retention rates and enhanced productivity.
To help stem the tide of the soft skills tsunami among younger workers, we need to:
- Prioritize Education and Training Incorporate soft skills training into education curricula and professional development programs.
- Mentorship and Coaching Pair young workers with mentors or coaches who can provide guidance, feedback, and support in developing their soft skills. Mentors can offer insight into workplace dynamics and help young workers navigate challenges.
- Encourage Real–World Experience Promote internships, volunteer opportunities, and part–time jobs that offer exposure to diverse work environments and require interaction with colleagues and customers.
- Foster a Supportive Work Environment Create a workplace culture that values and encourages the development of soft skills. Provide opportunities for collaboration, open communication, and feedback.
- Promote Self–Awareness and Reflection Encourage young workers to engage in self–reflection and mindfulness practices to enhance self–awareness and emotional regulation, which are critical components of emotional intelligence.
The rapid rise of technology is transforming the workplace. Companies will need to rely more and more on younger workers. By investing in emotional intelligence and soft skills, companies can foster a new era of competitiveness, sustainable growth, and extraordinary success. As nations strive to become more competitive, we need to ensure that all workers can contribute to a more harmonious and productive workplace.
