Ah, the modern workplace—a delightful melting pot of Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, Gen Zers, and whatever letter comes next. Most business articles and expert panels seem obsessed with explaining how different we all are. We’re told Boomers want stability, Gen X want simply to be noticed, Millennials want work-life balance, and Gen Z craves technology and social justice. Sprinkle in some stereotypes, and you’ve got a multi-generational circus that’s harder to manage than your parents’ expectations of what you “should” be doing with your life.
But here’s the thing: As humans, we have a tendency to make the solutions to our problems unnecessarily complicated. After all, the best ideas in life are fundamentally simple. And simple ideas deserve simplicity in their solutions.
This generational conversation is no different. I believe we simply want to communicate with each other better. We want to understand one another so we can accomplish the goals we’ve set forth. If that’s the case, the solution can’t be 5 different generations, all with separate and distinct needs in life – and oh, by the way, a new group of people is going to be invented every 10 years to come along and mess everything up again!
Maybe we’re making this way more complicated than it needs to be. So what can we do to simplify the solutions?
Start with Empathy
Let’s get one thing straight: Empathy isn’t some touchy-feely concept best left to therapy sessions or inspirational posters. It’s the cornerstone of every workplace relationship—whether you’re a Boomer who remembers fax machines or a Gen Zer who wonders what the heck a fax machine is.
The real issue? We’ve stopped trying to understand each other’s perspectives. Instead, we’re too quick to jump to conclusions. Boomers think kids these days are entitled. Gen X thinks Gen Z is all TikTok and no talk. And Millennials? We’re still recovering from being called lazy avocado-toast enthusiasts. The truth is, most of our differences boil down to how we see the world and, more importantly, how we deal with change.
Change Is the Only Constant
If there’s one thing that sets generations apart, it’s our collective attitude toward change. Boomers grew up in a world without constant – and I mean constant – connectivity. The youngest generation today has seen more technological advancements in their first 10 years of life than previous generations saw in their first 40. It’s no wonder we sometimes struggle to see eye-to-eye.
The problem isn’t that one generation likes change more than another. It’s how each of us copes with it. Some embrace change like it’s the latest iPhone release; others approach it like it’s a root canal. So rather than trying to fit everyone into neatly labeled generational boxes, let’s shift the focus to understanding our individual attitudes towards change.
So, What’s the Real Solution?
The answer is shockingly simple: Talk to each other like humans. Ask questions. Listen (yes, really listen) without the mental soundtrack of assumptions playing in your head. Instead of using generational labels as an excuse to not understand someone, use them as conversation starters. You’ll quickly find that we all want the same thing: to be seen, heard, and contribute to the conversation.
