Rather than assuming young workers are antisocial or unfriendly, consider why they might find it difficult to interact with others and help them figure out what would make it easier. If they seem overly sensitive, explore why this might be, rather than judging them.

Create space for conversation

Gen Z has been raised in a world of asynchronous communication—texts, DMs, emails, as well as Zoom meetings where they can turn off their video and audio, and participation is often optional. Forget about telling these employees you have an open-door policy; they won’t walk through it. Instead, leaders may need to create intentional, low-pressure spaces for conversation.

Encourage socialization

Your role as a leader isn’t just to manage their work—it’s to introduce them to workplace culture. Do you provide opportunities for socialization? Maybe it’s Cornhole Fridays, a bowling league or a team lunch. Better yet, ask them what they want. Identify your most outgoing employees and form a culture committee. Make socialization part of onboarding, not an afterthought.

Create a formal development plan