Flourish co-founder Sarah Skelton spoke to MSN about the most common workplace mistakes she sees from Gen Z professionals and what organisations can do to help them succeed. 

At Flourish, we work closely with early-career talent and hiring managers across sales and tech. We see the ambition Gen Z brings, but we also see the gaps in readiness, confidence and soft skills that employers need to address. Here’s what Skelly had to say: 

1. Impatience for progress 

“You don’t get given the big job and big salary straight out of education. It takes work, and more importantly, time.” 

Gen Z are motivated and driven, but many underestimate the effort and experience needed to climb the ladder. Employers can manage expectations early with structured career pathways and development milestones.

Turning up at 10am with a Starbucks in hand isn’t the impression you think it is.

2. Not seeking feedback

“Confidence is important, but it’s dangerous if it’s misplaced. Feedback isn’t criticism; it’s your golden ticket.” 

Some Gen Z professionals resist feedback or don’t actively seek it out. A coaching-led culture with regular, constructive dialogue can help them grow faster and feel more supported.

3. Misunderstanding hybrid work norms

“Turning up at 10am with a Starbucks in hand isn’t the impression you think it is. You need to put effort in, especially in the early days.” 

The balance between flexibility and professionalism is a common learning curve. Clear communication around expectations, especially in hybrid or remote setups, helps avoid misunderstandings. 

4. Lack of soft skills 

“Technical ability might get you the job; soft skills help you keep it.” 

From communication to emotional intelligence, soft skills are often undervalued by new starters. Training that focuses on the human side of work can help bridge the gap between potential and performance. 

5. Overreliance on digital communication 

“Sending a Slack message isn’t always the best route. Sometimes, you need to speak up in person or over the phone.” 

Fluency in digital tools is great, but it can’t replace confident verbal communication. Coaching around workplace scenarios can make a huge difference in long-term career success. 

The Flourish perspective 

At Flourish, we’re committed to helping early-career professionals (and the businesses that hire them) navigate these challenges. Through Discovery Days, onboarding support and our extended coaching programmes, we work to develop the traits and behaviours that lead to long-term, high performance. 

Need Gen Z talent that thrives in your organisation? 

Get in touch with the Flourish team to discuss your requirements and access our pool of eager, capable early-career pros who are ready for the right step into sales, business development and account management. 

Our talent, your performance.

info@helloflourish.com 

0333 996 0168