George Brasher, senior vice-president and managing director for North America at HP, told EuroHerald that the common label of Gen Z as lacking interpersonal skills is a myth. He said the youngest cohort in his teams demonstrates strong listening, trust-building and an instinct for customer needs, turning those traits into tangible business wins.
Why the debate matters
Generational stereotypes have long coloured discussions about workplace culture. Critics claim that Gen Z, raised on smartphones and social media, struggle with traditional office etiquette and expect excessive flexibility. Proponents argue that the same digital upbringing equips them with skills that are increasingly valuable in a technology-driven economy.
HP, a $27 billion technology company with roughly 55,000 staff worldwide, positions itself as a champion of an "interconnected, inclusive and conscientious world". The firm credits its youngest employees with driving innovation through a digital-first approach to collaboration and a firm stance on work-life balance.
Evidence of a new skill set
According to Brasher, Gen Z and millennials are the highest users of artificial-intelligence tools in the workplace. Their fluency with AI, he says, gives them a "healthy relationship with work" and a competitive edge in a tight entry-level job market.
"Gen Z and millennials have the highest use of AI, highest use of the technology," Brasher said. "The fact that they're digital natives, and AI natives, really puts them in a great position…to have that use of technology that will give them a healthy relationship with work."
Data from a 2026 PwC analysis of Lightcast shows that more than one million U.S. job postings required AI-related skills last year, a 66 percent increase from 2024. This surge underscores the relevance of the capabilities Brasher attributes to the younger workforce.
Support from other industry leaders
Other senior executives echo the sentiment. Sally Massey, chief human-resources officer at Colgate-Palmolive, describes Gen Z as ambitious and technically adept, noting that their upbringing with technology brings fresh ideas and curiosity to the consumer-goods sector.
At Stripe, Emily Glassberg Sands, head of data and AI, has championed the hiring of recent graduates, praising their "cutting-edge skills" and up-to-date toolsets. Similarly, Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, refers to the cohort as "generation AI", arguing that their lifelong exposure to advanced technology makes them especially attractive to employers.
What comes next
Brasher advises companies to ensure that new hires are well prepared for a technology-centric workplace. As AI becomes embedded in more roles, organisations that embrace the digital fluency of Gen Z are likely to see improved customer outcomes and stronger internal collaboration.
While some public figures continue to voice scepticism, the growing chorus of business leaders suggests that the narrative around Gen Z is shifting from doubt to recognition of a generation poised to shape the future of work.