GenZ Says Hybrid > Remote

A recent Gallup study found that only 23% of Gen Z workers want to be fully remote—far fewer than older generations. They still want flexibility. However, they are acknowledging that the fastest way to grow isn’t behind a screen—it’s by being in the room.

For early-career professionals, the office isn’t just a place to work—it’s a live training ground. You can see how leaders handle tough conversations, practice reading the room, and see behaviors modeled in a way that Zoom can't match. These micro-lessons—tone, timing, body language, influence—are the building blocks of leadership. And they’re things AI can’t teach you.

At the same time, Gen Z is entering a job market where AI is already reshaping the entry-level. Gen Z is wisely leaning into growth-mindset roles—jobs that emphasize learning, mentorship, and skill-building—rather than simply chasing the biggest salary or title right away.

By seeking out environments where they can watch, practice, and get feedback, they’re future-proofing their careers in two ways:

1. Skill acquisition—picking up human skills that AI can’t easily replicate.

2. Visibility and relationships—earning trust and building networks that make them more resilient in a shifting market.

AI is changing the tasks that define junior roles, but the behaviors that define great leaders remain human. Your long-term advantage comes from pairing AI fluency with the human skills—judgment, communication, empathy—that set you apart.

TAKE ACTION: Run a 30-day “Hybrid Advantage Plan.”
Pick one in-person day each week and pre-plan it around learning ROI:

• Schedule a 20-minute 1:1 with a senior teammate for skill coaching

• Shadow a meeting and volunteer to synthesize decisions

• Deliver one tangible artifact (brief, dashboard, checklist) that uses AI to speed the manual work you do

Repeat weekly for four weeks, track outcomes, and share a one-page recap with your manager. This blends what the market rewards right now: human-in-the-loop impact + a demonstrated track record of growth and learning.

Bottom line: AI is changing the tasks that define junior roles, but the behaviors that define great leaders remain human. Your long-term advantage comes from pairing AI fluency with the human skills—judgment, communication, empathy—that set you apart. In-person time is where leadership instincts are built.