By Madeeha Hussain
Communication and emotional intelligence are soft skills that are especially relevant for younger generations and reflect the evolving expectations of leadership in today’s workplace. Current leaders must not only be able to communicate clearly but also understand and manage emotions—both their own and those of others—creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.
One of the most important skills a successful leader must have is communication skills. It is essential for leaders to share their vision and inspire the team to foster a better collaborative environment, especially in a digital-first world. Gen Z are known for their comfort with technology and social media, but effective leadership requires deeper, face-to-face communication skills that build trust and clarity. Open, authentic communication is vital for fostering a supportive, transparent work culture.
A good example of this is SouthWest airline’s CEO, Gary Kelly, who prioritises relationship-building and open communication, which has resulted in a supportive work environment and high employee retention rates.
According to Southwest, if employees are treated with care and respect, they will treat the customers the same, this proves to be advantageous at all levels. The airline is recognised as the Best employer on the Forbes list and on Glassdoor’s best place to work. This shift reflects a broader change in leadership styles, emphasising empathy, transparency, and emotional awareness as a key to overall success.
Understanding Gen Z’s behaviour towards brand loyalty and approach to work
According to Glassdoor’s 2024 Workplace Trends Gen Z (those currently aged 17-24) is entering and reshaping the workforce with distinctive expectations. Growing up in an era marked by rapid technological advancement, climate concerns, economic inequality, and financial instability, they have witnessed the struggles of previous generations—especially family members, friends, and role models.
As a result, they highly value transparent communication and emotional intelligence in the workplace, which they see as essential tools to foster trust and connection. Additionally, as one of the most anxious and cautious generations, with less optimism about the future than prior generations, Gen Z employees are actively seeking workplaces that prioritise mental wellness and empathetic leadership.
In recent years, cancel culture has been gaining popularity with people, particularly millennials and Gen Zers, which involves “cancelling” brands or celebrities whose practices don’t align with their beliefs and values. Brands like Duolingo, Scrub Daddy, Ryanair, Crocs, and Chipotle have embraced a fresh, authentic approach to connect with Gen Z.
By prioritising genuine engagement and actively listening to their community, they’ve built massive followings and trust that resonate with younger audiences. Their strategies showcase how real, relatable community building drives brand loyalty and influence among Gen Z.
According to Workable, Gen Z is highly creative, great at multitasking, and possesses a can-do mindset. They are constantly learning and upskilling to advance in their careers, and because Gen Z treats TikTok and Instagram like a search engine, they learn behaviour and awareness quickly from any other generation.
With the social rise of wellness, mental health, developing emotional intelligence and understanding is crucial to lead the next generation. They want to be heard and believe organisational hierarchy serves no purpose if they aren’t practical and adaptable to them.
Adapting workplace strategies to lead the Gen Z workforce
For example, one-on-one performance reviews should feel like a collaborative discussion rather than a checklist assessment. According to Gallup, 70% of employees feel more engaged when they believe their managers are genuinely invested in their growth.
It’s about guiding rather than directing—creating an environment where continuous improvement is the goal. Gen Z, in particular, values empathy in management, with 60% preferring managers who understand their challenges and support their development.
According to Detoille’s latest Gen Z survey about 56% of Gen Z would feel comfortable speaking openly with their manager about feeling stressed or anxious. In order to maintain alignment between employer and employee values, it is crucial for an organisation to actively listen to and respond to its people in addition to having a clear purpose that is stated and communicated. This will probably result in a more motivated, engaged, and loyal team.
For example, among those who rejected an assignment and had a positive outcome or say their employer reacted affirmatively, 74% of Gen Zs plan to stay for more than five years. Among those who experienced a negative outcome when they rejected an assignment that didn’t align with their values—only 62% of Gen Zs plan to stay for more than five years.
When organisations adapt to align with the unique strengths and preferences of their workforce, they open doors to enhanced growth and productivity. Recognising and responding to these evolving workplace trends enables companies to maintain a competitive edge in today’s fast-changing market.
Emotional intelligence gives Gen Z the ability to make the world a more empathetic and understanding workplace. They may set a good example, influence others, and promote constructive social change. If the future of work is Gen Z, communication and emotional intelligence must be the next critical soft skill to develop.
About the author:
Madeeha is a digital marketing professional focused on social media and content creation.
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