Divided no longer

I have the absolute pleasure of speaking at a convocation with 200 Deans and faculty, on the topic of bridging generations in the academic environment. I speak about bridging generations all the time - it comes up in my coaching work, especially with parents/teens. This talk specifically focuses on bridging generations within educational institutions and exploring this concept in the context of education.

Bridging generations is more important now than ever - the four largest generations make up around 20% of the total population each, and there is a wider gap in values, ideals, and approaches to work and education than we’ve ever seen before.

For example, the values of a Gen Z employee are very different than those of an employee who is a baby boomer. And it’s no shock why - think about how different their worldviews are. Someone from Gen Z was a child when 9/11 happened, whereas the baby boomer would have been in their 40s or 50s. That’s a huge difference in impact and perspective from one global event - and that compounds when you think of all the things that happen in a lifetime, that cause people to develop certain values or perspectives (ex. Aids crisis, Iraq/Iran wars, COVID, Cold War, 2008 financial crisis, etc.).

Knowing how important it is to bridge these widening generational gaps, how do we do it? To boil my long keynote down to a simple conclusion, much of it comes to keeping an open mind. It’s all too easy for individuals to get stuck in their ways and think their perspectives or opinions are the only ones with validity - and this simply isn’t true. In order to bridge gaps, we must be willing to cross them and be willing to hold space for what other people think and believe. If we expect younger generations for example to learn how to shake hands, hold meetings face to face, and learn to respect their elders, older generations must be willing to learn how to use social media, instant messaging, engage in Zoom meetings, and respect the younger employees. Respect is a two-way street - we can’t expect to receive it if we don’t give it.

If this conversation is making your head spin, don’t worry - you’re not alone. I wrote my doctoral thesis on this very topic because of its complexity and nuance! I encourage you to keep engaging and exploring; and if that’s daunting on your own, sign up for coaching with me, or sign up for my email list to attend my next speaking event! I would love to share the joy of bridging gaps with you.

Much Love,

Unnatti Jain