You use the word Cynical but I believe the thing we are looking for is also not IQ related but the ability to use Critical Thinking.
I’ve noticed over the past 15yrs at my place of employment, More and More classes being offered to teach Critical Thinking Skills to younger employees.
We seasoned Engineers joke about the Noobs saying they couldn’t think their way out of a wet paper bag. Critical thinking is a lost art in a large portion of people under 40.
Heard repeatedly on the workplace floor......”and I told that Engineer....”