We’ve been spending time listening to Gen Z about how they’re building professional relationships as they become more influential in the workplace. Most interesting to me was that despite growing up in a world where you build relationships on digital platforms, Gen Z don't find it easy to do this for work... which is something I want LinkedIn to improve on. I know that many of my own professional opportunities were shaped by relationships I'd invested in. Curious what advice you’d give someone early in their career who’s trying to build professional relationships?
I think we are at 10% or b2b buying decisions are coming from Gen Z already, which is epic! While I am not Gen Z (36 now) it’s been fun working with these folks, doing a webinar with Molly Selin here soon. You should tune in, would be awesome. She’s part of your gen z program and we are running it with Dave Wieseneck as well! Sydney Waynick 👀
I’d tell them to focus less on “networking” and more on building genuine relationships. Comment thoughtfully, ask good questions, share what you’re learning, and stay in touch without always needing something. The strongest professional relationships usually grow from consistency, not one-off interactions, Daniel Shapero
Daniel Shapero I have been publicly building on LinkedIn for 2 years. From my direct Analytics and search engine results, I have not gotten fair reach or recognition from outside of my network for the caliber of work I have accomplished alone. My personal and company page is completely unindexed on Google. If you want to improve professional relationships it starts with leadership and to be a better leader it starts with not only listening(which you claim to have done) but also acting on it by choosing the right leaders that are GenZ to tackle the areas that can go missed/overlooked to provide truly an equal if not fair opportunity for those already building on your platform. I have witnessed that many bright minds have gone overlooked and unappreciated. One of them being me. How can one even dream to grow relationships or even into leadership roles when their wings are clipped during takeoff?
I understand why Gen Z is skeptical. Digital hiring has become a hall of mirrors: polished profiles, automated promises, manufactured credibility, and enough scams to make every legitimate opportunity look suspicious. I’ve traveled that road with production companies and learned that a phone call can introduce a possibility, but sharing a room reveals the person. Even then, nothing is certain until words become commitments and commitments become execution. Technology may open the door, but human presence determines whether trust walks through it. I’ve built a LinkedIn network of 12,000+ in under a year, yet I know connections are introductions—not validation. As Out of Place Jake, I’m actively seeking a new path in media, entertainment, promotions, hosting, or leadership. I’m not afraid of the digital doorway; I’m ready to walk through it, meet the people behind the profiles, and prove what my energy and work ethic can deliver. Let’s talk.
I'm part of the generation you're describing, I coach students and young professionals, and I also worked at LinkedIn earlier in my career, so this lands from a few directions at once. What I see most with students isn't a lack of comfort online. It's that they know how to connect but haven't learned what comes after the connection. That second step is a completely different skill. And probably one of the more useful ones to build early.
Fascinating insights Daniel. I was just speaking with Teri Chilcoat about some of this - would be curious to hear her thoughts as well.
Love these walking sessions. How do you keep the camera to still Daniel Shapero ?
Be curious, follow up, and help before asking for help. LinkedIn can create the introduction, but consistency and generosity turn a connection into a relationship.
Great advice! Think less about growing your network and more about getting to know the people in it. Genuine relationships take time, and that’s kind of the point.
Daniel Shapero you have to promise that if you run with this idea, you hire me to build it out at LinkedIn 🙆🏾♂️ As a Gen Z trapped in a Millennial's body, I've found that those who are comfortable building relationships online started from Instagram/TikTok. The challenge is that extending those relationships to LinkedIn requires rebuilding an audience from scratch in front of coworkers, managers, and future employers. There's an opportunity to lower that barrier: help people port their content, community, and credibility into LinkedIn so they're growing one brand of themselves across platforms, not maintaining two separate versions of themselves.