The not-for-profit organisation focused on small and medium-sized businesses, Icehouse, has dedicated a full segment of its upcoming Ignite 2026 event to addressing how to bridge the communication gap with Gen Z (young adults born between 1997 and 2012).
Communication skills, despite being regarded as one of the most valuable assets in today’s digital workplace, are increasingly seen as less developed among Generation Z.
Young Enterprise NZ interim co-chief executive Abbie McKoy, who will be joining a panel discussion alongside Gen Z participants already making their mark, said the key approach is to listen first and remain authentic.
“I think about myself when I first started working; if my boss told me to do something, I was doing it. I was not going to question it. I’m doing it. This generation will push back,” she said.
“I think for employers, they struggle with that because they’re looking for that commitment.”
However, she said Gen Z has its own perspective on how time is spent in the workplace.
“For them, it’s more of like, am I learning here? Am I growing here? Can I add value here? If those conditions aren’t met, I think there’s always new opportunities that they see and they can make happen.”
McKoy said Gen Z workers are quick to move on from roles that don’t recognise their strengths or allow them space to grow.
“And in terms of like marketing and reaching them, it needs to feel real, and it needs to feel like a real connection.”
She said Gen Z has built networks of online communities rather than in-person ones, marking another key difference from older generations.
McKoy said for Millennials, “We might pick up the phone and call a friend. For them, it’s more of a text message.”
“Do not call them (Gen-Z) on the phone. Absolutely never call them on the phone.”
“Make sure that you send a text first, at least, or schedule a coffee so that it feels more connected.”