Beating the Generational War

Being in Human Resources, I truly have the remarkable privilege of working closely with every single employee in the company I represent. I not only know their names and the specific departments they work in, but I usually have a good understanding of their family dynamics as well. This personal connection is undoubtedly my favorite part of my job—getting to know my colleagues. I find it incredibly easy to connect and get along with everyone, and I genuinely appreciate the unique value that each generation brings to our collaborative table. I can clearly see the hard labor intensive work and dedication that the veteran employees have invested over the years to help get us to where we are today, and I fully recognize the invaluable contributions of our junior employees, who are eager and capable of taking us to the next level of success.

Each generation brings forth the next best innovations and advancements, but it often seems that each new group is ridiculed or dismissed by those who came before them. We don’t have to ride around in horse-drawn buggies anymore, thanks to the ingenuity of the next generation that invented various vehicles to make travel easier and more efficient. Following that, the advancements continued with air travel, followed by the revolution of communication with phones, and then the rise of computers, and so on. The next generation that comes after you isn’t lazy or soft or afraid of hard work; they have keenly observed the achievements of the generations before them and thought, “Wow, that’s truly awesome—now how can we take it a step further and upgrade that?”

In my humble opinion, the very best thing about the generations that came before me—oh, and just so you know, I am a proud Gen Xer—is the unique perspective they offer. The generation just ahead of mine, the Boomers, are often characterized as workaholics, fiercely competitive, and quite conservative in their views. They entered the workforce with an unmatched drive, working their tails off with little to no breaks, often sacrificing any semblance of downtime, including precious moments for bonding with their children. They had no medical leave to speak of, no sick pay, and no disability pay to support them through tough times. Many of them worked with broken bones and nasty cuts while managing the difficult reality of missing out on countless family gatherings. But they paved the way for the next generation, forging paths that were once unimaginable. Technical advances began to flourish, leading more and more women to enter the workforce, and as a result, the world as many knew it began to shift in significant and exciting ways. As for my fellow Gen Xers, we certainly faced many of the same challenges that our Boomer predecessors experienced. We had to work just as hard, and there weren’t many protections or employment laws that were on our side as some of us entered the workforce. Yet, we are a resilient bunch. While we tend to lean towards extreme independence, we’re also incredibly adaptable. We are the generation known for both parents working outside the home, which gave rise to our nickname, "Latch Key Kids." This meant we handled our own homework, took care of our younger siblings, and cooked for ourselves and our families. However, unlike the Boomers, we now demand a healthier work-life balance. We still work hard but do not want to sacrifice our families and personal lives any longer. With that, some important employment laws began to gradually develop for us, aiming to create a more fair and equitable working environment for all individuals. We continued to embrace and drive the exciting rise of technological advances that were transforming our world for the better.

The Boomers and Gen Xers not only shaped the foundations but also gave rise to the dynamic generations of Millennials and Gen Z. Millennials, in particular, are a generation that sparked a wave of innovative thinking and fresh ideas, paving the way for a different approach to life and work. Like previous generations that witnessed groundbreaking inventions and strived to refine and enhance them, Millennials are on a quest for improvements across all facets of life. They have become increasingly aware that sacrificing their family time and personal happiness for a job is simply not an option anymore. Aiming for an even better work-life balance, they are determined to prioritize their well-being. Growing up in a world where technology rapidly evolved, they embraced the idea that technology could make life easier and better, leading to the philosophy of working smarter, not harder. Thankfully, hard hitting employment laws began to favor their aspirations for fairness and balance in the workplace. Above all, they seek equality and a sense of enjoyment in what they do, striving to make work a fulfilling part of their lives.

I am truly excited to see how we will improve even more as a society now that the next generation has entered the bustling workplace—meet the Gen Zers. This vibrant generation is not just familiar with technology; they are even more technologically advanced than any before them. They have absolutely no idea what life was like before the advent of the internet, the wide availability of cell phones, or the rise of social media. For them, technology has been a constant companion throughout their entire lives. In addition to their tech-savviness, this generation places a strong emphasis on meaningful work, championing inclusion and diversity in all aspects of their professional lives. But this generation, however, does not know or understand what life was like before the significant and tragic events of 9/11 unfolded. They grew up in a world that has been shaped and influenced by a constant atmosphere of anxiety and worry. This pervasive sense of unease has been fueled by school shootings, large group event shootings, terrorist attacks, and so much more that has made their experience uniquely challenging. It is no wonder they prioritize work-life balance and advocate for good mental health, making them a refreshing presence in today's workforce.

But we cannot discount all the significant challenges that each generation has gone through over the years. Sure, each generation had its own unique style and distinctive ways of having fun, but it’s important to acknowledge that every generation also faced its own set of downfalls and hardships. For example, Boomers and Gen Xers didn’t have the luxury of social media or cell phones to rely on. This meant that staying connected to friends and family was a more challenging endeavor. Our parents couldn’t track our whereabouts with a quick text or GPS search, so when a child did go missing, the entire neighborhood would rally together to help in the search. Millennials and Gen Zers, on the other hand, grew up in a technology-infused world where connecting with friends and family across the globe could be done without ever leaving the comfort of their own bedrooms. They received news in real time, and the answers to countless questions were right at their fingertips, always just a click away. However, the downside for them was that their entire lives could potentially be exposed on the web, leaving them vulnerable to public scrutiny. Whereas Boomers and Gen Xers had their embarrassing moments confined to home, school, or their local town, Millennials and Gen Zers often found their awkward teenage mishaps broadcast for the whole world to see—almost like they were on the 5 o’clock news. They could never fully escape incidents that would have been forgotten in earlier times. If they were bullied at school, it wasn’t just confined to their immediate surroundings; they faced bullying from other schools as well because everyone seemed to know their business.

Me personally, each generation holds significant value to me and the lessons they impart. I work hard and strive to be competitive in my endeavors, but I absolutely won’t sacrifice my family for the sake of my work commitments. I passionately advocate for equality and diversity in all aspects of life, and I wholeheartedly believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for overall well-being. Additionally, I believe mental health is just as important—if not more so—than our physical health, and it deserves our utmost attention and care.

So, with this said, let’s lay off the criticism and pay attention to what’s really going on. Your opinion that the next generations are lazy or soft is completely misguided and fundamentally wrong. Look at the world around us and reflect on how it has evolved with each generation that has come and gone. We are truly products of our surroundings, shaped by the experiences, cultures, and environments that define our lives. Each generation seems to be becoming increasingly less tolerant of injustices and will simply refuse to accept unfairness, unnecessary sacrifices, and the outdated practices of the world that no longer serve us. Additionally, if there’s a way to get things done more efficiently and with less hassle, why wouldn’t we choose to do it that way? It’s about working smarter, not harder and enjoying our life more!