e-Tips

Confirmation of the True Definition of Generations

A few years ago, Gen Zers were being likened in some respects to Traditionalists, also called by some (but not me) the Silent Generation. Not anymore.

The Parkland School mass shooting, environmental issues, and local/community issues have incited college and high school agers to stand up and raise their voices. And they are getting support from older generations. This resembles the activist inclined Baby Boomers, though they were not notably backed in their “disruptions” by their elders.

This change in behavior and perceptions serves to confirm that generations are more accurately defined by the formative influences - economic, social, political and cultural – circumstances and experiences during formative stages of life, mostly roughly around ages 14-24, than Census Bureau somewhat arbitrary choice of birth years.

One of my mantras is “chronological age doesn’t really matter,” except for government entitlements, drivers’ licenses and IDs and voting. Don’t get hung up on specific birth years for making assumptions and forming opinions.

Back to trends and observations about Gen Zers and what employers and politicians need to pay attention to. Personal identity concerns are surfacing in a more potent way than ever in a more diverse than ever young population. That as well as reaction to the terrorism and divisive politics rampant in recent years has lit a fire under the serious-minded, purposeful college and high school age Zers.

The Path to Constructive, Committed Conversation

One example of how this is being channeled is a University of California Santa Barbara student, Rose Strauss, who was called what has become a hashtag, #YoungAndNaive, by a Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania when she asked him a legitimate question at a town hall meeting. The video exchange went viral on social media and increased the size of, and attention to, the Sunrise Movement she started of young people concerned about the environment. Her cohort is feeling the power of their social media voice.

They and other groups of young people are canvassing neighborhoods. Here’s what Strauss said in an interview: ”We knock on a lot of doors of people who disagree with us, but opening the dialogue is so important. I went to the door of a man who disagreed with me and told me he would not vote for the candidate I supported. Despite this, we had an hour long conversation about issues we cared about. We shook hands, and I walked away with the knowledge of someone else’s perspective.”

Her way is the correct attitude and approach for constructive conversations among people who disagree and is a model for uniting our communities and world rather than aggressive, hurtful, offensive language. I am personally supporting the Intergroup Dialogue approach and method being taught at an increasing number of colleges. See also http://www.pdcounsel.com/multi-generational-e-tips/592/

On the conservative side of the political spectrum, here are some typical quotes from interviews with 18 year olds who attended a leadership conference by Turning Point USA organized to promote activism skills among conservative high school and college students:

• “The biggest problem in America is polarization. It would be refreshing to see people on both sides come together to discuss how to fix our problems…We need less politics and more problem-solving.”

• “It’s important to be politically open-minded, not necessarily to subscribe to a certain person. For me, it’s important to listen and decide for myself what I believe to be right and true.”

• "I think this generation is now getting more opinionated than any generation not voting like their parents voted…. Blindly following any person is what gets us into trouble.”

• “You have to listen to the other side to better understand your own beliefs.”

• “I get lots of articles on different issues so I can see what the various viewpoints are, and I signed up for notifications from the New York Times, BBC, CNN, Fox News.”

These young people on both sides of the political fence make a great deal of sense, and I hope they retain these open-minded beliefs as they mature and gain more activist experience. I am hoping we can count on them to help heal the divisiveness and tribalness that is plaguing and hurting our society, ranging from local concerns to world affairs.

One crucial question is whether the passion and active commitment has the legs to reverse the threat to civil, democratic society. Strauss’ advice, requested for young women in her interview but equally applicable to males as well: “Join a movement, not an isolated or singular thing. Marching, demonstrating is great, but we need sustained action to really turn the tide.”

Let’s all raise our voices in some manner for what we believe in. Do it in a way that gives all diverse identities the opportunity to express their opinions and values with respect and the purpose to unite and find solutions, not divide.

Please comment and offer your thoughts on how we can unite with constructive conversations. Send your thoughts to pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com, engage on www.YouCantGoogleIt.com or post on the Cross-Generational Conversation group on LinkedIn. I look forward to engaging in this important conversation with you.

Phyllis

©  Phyllis Weiss Haserot, 2018.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot, author of “You Can’t Google It!! – The Compelling Case for Cross-Generational Conversation at Work.,” helps organizations solve inter-generational challenges among work colleagues and with clients to achieve better productivity and knowledge transfer, retention, succession planning and business development results.  Phyllis is president of Practice Development Counsel, business development consulting and coaching.  pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com,  www.youcantgoogleit.com,    www.pdcounsel.com, http://www.linkedin.com/in/pwhaserot

Twitter: @phylliswhaserot

* The generational chronology for easy reference: Generations are defined by the similar formative influences – social, cultural, political, economic – that existed as the individuals of particular birth cohorts were growing up. Given that premise, the age breakdowns for each of the four generations currently in the workplace are approximately:

Learn about our *Generational Wisdom for Mentors and Mentees* programs as well as multi-generational team facilitation. Call 212-593-1549 or e-mail pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com.

For coaching, training and special programs on inter-generational challenges for and among 4 generations in the workplace and maximizing the potential of young professionals, call or email Phyllis for an exploratory talk or complimentary coaching session at 212-593-1549 or pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com

Phyllis is available to speak at your organization or at firm retreats on inter-generational relations and organizational effectiveness topics. Call or e-mail for a list of topics or to custom-tailor your own.