Helping Gen Z Build Real Connections: My Conversation on Fox 5 D
I recently joined Guy Lambert on Fox 5 DC to talk about a topic close to my heart: why so many Gen Z professionals feel disconnected from the people who could help their careers, and what we can all do about it.
As a dad of three Gen Zers, I’ve seen this up close. This is the personal device generation, and the pandemic did them no favors. Add the anxiety of wondering “why would anyone want to hear from me?” and it’s easy to see why reaching out feels so hard.
A few takeaways from our conversation:
- Your network is bigger than you think. Alumni from your high school or college, former professors, and family members are often more than willing to help. Many of them, myself included, will respond when someone puts in a little effort.
- Put the phone down, then choose the right platform. Spend less time on TikTok and Instagram and more on LinkedIn, where the professional action is.
- Texting isn’t enough. Video can be a comfortable middle ground, but real connection takes practice and getting past the discomfort of a live conversation.
- Employers have a role too. Anxiety isn’t something you simply bootstrap your way out of. Recreating the water cooler with check-ins that go beyond “give me a work update” can make a real difference.
These ideas sit at the heart of Wired for Purpose: in a digital world, our humanity is still our biggest differentiator.
A quick heads up: the video and audio in the clip below are slightly out of sync, but the message still comes through loud and clear.
