#Softskills

Senior leadership at one of the world’s most influential retail corporations has delivered a compelling wake-up call that resonates throughout Thailand’s evolving professional landscape. The executive’s candid assessment reveals that persistent workplace negativity has emerged as the single most damaging trait that undermines career advancement, regardless of technical expertise or educational credentials. This revelation arrives at a pivotal moment for Thai professionals navigating an increasingly competitive job market where emotional intelligence and collaborative attitudes determine long-term success more than traditional qualifications alone.

A veteran executive at the world’s largest retailer has issued a stark warning to job seekers and employers alike: chronic negativity is the most undesirable trait in candidates and employees, regardless of their qualifications or experience. This insight highlights a growing shift in hiring and workplace culture, signaling the critical importance of attitude over aptitude in the modern Thai and global job market.

For Thais eager to secure new opportunities—especially as the job market evolves in response to a shifting economy—this advice arrives at a crucial moment. The nature of work and organisational culture across Thailand is rapidly changing, influenced by both digital disruption and global best practices. According to CNBC via YourTango, a leading executive emphasised that perpetual pessimism and a tendency to highlight problems without offering solutions stand out as major red flags for hiring managers. “Nobody wants [to hire] a Debbie Downer. You know they’re going to show up [and] they’re going to bring the problem, never the solution. I like people who bring the problem and a suggestion for how they might resolve it,” the executive explained.

A senior executive from a global retailer warns that chronic workplace negativity is the single biggest barrier to career advancement and team performance. For Thai professionals, emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit are increasingly more important than technical skills or credentials in a competitive job market.

Thailand’s shift toward a digital, innovation-driven economy creates new opportunities for leaders who communicate constructively and offer solutions. As multinational firms expand in Bangkok and major regional hubs, bosses want teams that energize rather than drain momentum. Research highlighted by leading business outlets shows hiring managers are less willing to hire candidates who vent without proposing remedies. The executive’s assessment mirrors this shift: successful workers come ready to identify problems and suggest actionable fixes, signaling a broader move from problem-focused to solution-driven cultures in Thai companies.

A global shift is reshaping perceptions of higher education as young people question the value of a college degree. In the United States, a growing portion of Gen Z says college may not be worth the cost, a revelation that could influence education and employment trends in Thailand as well.

Rising tuition, heavy student debt, and doubts about the wage premium are central to this debate. Data from research conducted by Indeed Hiring Lab and Harris Poll in March 2025 shows that 51% of Gen Z respondents with an associate degree or higher consider their degree a waste of money. This view contrasts sharply with older generations and reflects a broader concern about return on investment. Reports across American media highlight a national mood of skepticism, while parallel polls from other outlets confirm a similar pattern.

A wave of skepticism is sweeping across the United States as a new generation of young adults—especially those from Generation Z—are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree. Recent research reveals that more than half of young Americans now view their college education as a waste of money, a significant shift with profound implications for individuals, educational institutions, and global workforce dynamics.

This generational disillusionment comes at a time when tuition costs have soared, student debt continues to climb, and the traditional advantages of holding a degree are increasingly in doubt. For Thai readers, these trends bear close watching, as they reflect global currents in higher education and could foreshadow developments in Thailand’s own educational landscape.