The digital echo chamber is making it vital to reclaim people skills for early talent. Harry Parsons at Interaction Learning and Development offers advice and National Gas tells how.
According to a recent Channel 4 study:
These statistics got me thinking about the early talent we work with at Interaction Learning and Development, and the impact the digital echo chamber has on people skills in organisations.
Digital echo chamber
A digital echo chamber is an online environment where users are primarily exposed to information, opinions, and perspectives that align with their own beliefs, reinforcing their existing views while limiting exposure to diverse or opposing perspectives.
In an era where increasing reliance is on algorithms to curate content to reinforce personal preferences, early talent is increasingly shaped by digital echo chambers.
While this provides hyper-personalised experiences, it also limits exposure to diverse perspectives. When we encounter people – be it through real world interaction or a live video call - we are exposed to different perspectives and forced to check in with our own beliefs.
Without this reality check we leave Gen Z (and other generations) less equipped to navigate the complexities of workplace dynamics and navigating fact from fiction is increasingly difficult. These trends don't just shape individual perspectives; they also influence how organisations function.
The effect on organisations
When truth is disputed and societal divisions grow, the world becomes a confusing place. The breakdown in cohesion around shared facts, risks the connections that bind us, increasing the disconnect from each other, the teams we work in, and the culture organisations strive to create.
This weakens the ability to integrate, trust, think critically and communicate with a range of different people and perspectives. Our clients, such as those who take part in our Talent Forum, report an increasing need for business readiness, interpersonal skills, resilience and emotional intelligence.
What’s the answer?
Developing people skills through connecting people is a matter of necessity in an age of disconnection and uncertainty.
Experimentation with a concept through group conversation, simulation, challenging one another and real-world integration are key tools in the fight for people skills. This type of powerful experiential learning helps counteract some of the symptoms we see from digital echo chambers.
In fact, 85% of Gen Z employees prefer interactive, hands-on training methods over traditional formats (Forbes, 2023).
The impact of experiential learning
By creating environments where people feel connected and safe to learn, we enable curiosity, amplify different viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and apply concepts in practice.
Involving peers and managers in the process fosters a wide range of people skills, boosting confidence, adaptability and critical thinking.
This approach enhances empathy for differing perspectives, promotes cohesion and synergy, and accelerates a sense of belonging in the workplace, helping to bridge any gaps.
Case study: A National Gas success story
National Gas wanted to connect graduates and apprentices with one another and the wider organisation in a meaningful way and challenge their own echo chambers while embedding company values.
Engaging confidently in the organisation and challenging the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mindset was key in addition to driving cultural change and instilling agile, results-driven thinking.
The programme was in support of the wider transition to a sustainable, net-zero energy system while ensuring industrial competitiveness.
How we did it
We delivered a hybrid programme blending graduates and apprentices through in-person sessions, live virtual delivery and coaching which evolved alongside delegates, supporting their development throughout their first year.
We established communities of learners who felt safe to communicate and engage in small group activities as well as larger plenary sessions. We collaborated with the client to implement a year-long project initiative, allowing groups to enhance their exposure to various areas of the company.
We created fun, engaging simulations that reflected the challenges in the workplace, challenged mindset and created transferable learning solidified through expert facilitation and real-world application.
We invited senior leaders, line managers and early talent together to learn and explore the nuance of company values and ethics through interactive challenges and honest conversation from a range of diverse perspectives.
Caryl Coton, National Gas Early Careers Specialist, explained the change, “The group now has confidence to ask their line managers and mentors for support and can challenge how we do things as a company. Graduates have highlighted to me the importance of networking in person and creating connections to enable their career journey through mentoring and sponsorship.
“Core development opportunities would have affected these learners due to Covid lockdown; this programme has enabled us to use hybrid ways of working to enhance their development.”
5 top tips for reclaiming people skills in early careers
- Create psychological safety and community – learners won’t engage, contribute or challenge without feeling included and valued.
- Listen – understand what’s being said and what’s not being said, where are your gaps?
- Curate shared experiences that people can learn from and gather feedback – make it interesting and fun, change the things that don’t work.
- Involve different sectors from your organisation – diversity of perspective is key to creating shared direction, culture, empathy and breaking down silos.
- Encourage space to practice in the real world – give time to explore and ‘have a go’ – don’t punish mistakes, learn from them to create resilience and autonomy.
Reclaiming people skills for early talent is crucial in today's interconnected yet divided world. Fostering environments that promote experiential learning can equip Gen Z with the necessary skills to navigate workplace dynamics, think critically, and collaborate effectively - driving innovation and success in the long run.
Equipping Gen Z with the right skills will be one of the themes at this year’s ISE Student Development Conference.