July 31, 2024 • 14 mins
Hank Eder is the Chief Instigator at Hank Eder, PR/Marketing, a one-stop shop for all things marketing, including design, branding, website building, branded copywriting, press releases, SEO, and more.
Ever wondered why Millennials prioritize work-life balance while Boomers emphasize loyalty? Discover the unique strengths and values that each generation brings to the table in our latest episode of the Zoomers to Boomers Business Show. We promise you'll gain a fresh perspective on how technology, adaptability, and social responsibility are approached differently by Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. Learn how understanding these differences can shatter stereotypes and foster a more collaborative work environment.
Join us as we stress the significance of building bridges rather than burning them across generational lines. Despite our differences, we highlight the fact that we're all navigating the same business landscape together. Next Wednesday, we invite you to continue this journey with us by subscribing, liking, and sharing the podcast. Remember, practicing kindness is the ultimate key to unity, and it’s the catalyst for bridging generational divides in business and beyond. Don't miss this engaging and insightful discussion!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Hank (00:10):
this is the zoomers to boomers business show, and
you're listening to biz radiodot us all entrepreneurs all the
time.
Welcome to the zoomers toboomers business show right here
on bizradious All entrepreneursall the time.
I'm your host, hank Eder, alsoknown as Hank the PR Guy.
(00:33):
Today we're diving into a topicthat's been making waves in the
digital age the generationaldivide.
It seems like every generationis pointing fingers at the one
before or after it.
Boomers are often blamed forcreating a world of economic
inequality and environmentalchallenges.
(00:53):
Millennials get criticized forbeing entitled and job-hopping.
Gen Z is accused of beingoverly sensitive and addicted to
social media, and Gen Alpha,well, they're just getting
started.
These stereotypes are rampantand they're fueling a toxic
(01:16):
blame game that's tearing oursociety apart.
We've seen countless viralposts, heated online debates and
even political campaigns thatexploit these divisions.
But here's the thing While itmight be tempting to point
fingers and assign blame, that'snot going to solve any problems
.
In fact, it's creating a deeperdivide.
(01:37):
The truth is, we all need eachother.
We need to bridge these gaps,foster understanding and work
together to create a betterworld and a better future.
So let's talk about how we canopen up communication across the
generations, from Zoomers toBoomers.
We'll explore how differentgenerations approach business,
(02:00):
what we can learn from eachother and how we can build
bridges of mutual trust andrespect.
Let's start by looking at howdifferent generations approach
business.
Boomers, generally speaking,value loyalty, hard work and
face-to-face interactions.
They built their careers onthese principles.
(02:21):
Gen X is often seen as thebridge between boomers and
millennials.
They bring a blend oftraditional work ethic and
accountability.
They're comfortable withtechnology, but also appreciate
the importance of humanconnection.
Millennials, or Gen Y, havegrown up in a digital world.
They value work-life balance,collaboration and purpose-driven
(02:45):
work.
They're often seen as moreentrepreneurial and open to new
ideas.
They are not too likely to wantto work for bosses especially
bosses who don't appreciate themin low-paying, dead-end jobs.
It's not that they don't wantto work.
They just don't want to work inmeaningless positions where
(03:06):
they're not appreciated.
And finally, gen Z, theyoungest generation in the
workforce, is even moredigitally native than
millennials.
They prioritize diversity,inclusivity and social
responsibility.
They're quick learners and theyadapt to change very rapidly.
Each generation brings uniquestrengths and perspectives to
(03:29):
the table.
Let's talk about what eachgeneration can learn from the
others.
Yes, indeed, we can all learnfrom each other.
Boomers can learn from youngergenerations the importance of
technology, adaptability and afocus on work and life balance.
Gen X can learn from boomersthe value of loyalty, hard work
(03:51):
and building strong professionalrelationships.
Millennials can learn fromolder generations the importance
of patience, perseverance andthe value of experience.
Gen Z can learn from allgenerations the importance of
collaboration, empathy and thepower of mentorship.
And Gen Z, which always seemsto get a bad rap, really has a
(04:15):
lot to teach older generationstoo, such as digital fluency.
Gen Z is incredibly tech savvyand can teach older generations
how to leverage technology moreeffectively in both personal and
professional lives.
Diversity and Inclusion Gen Zis the most diverse generation
(04:37):
yet and they have a strong senseof social justice.
They can teach oldergenerations about the importance
of creating inclusiveenvironments, creativity and
innovation Gen Z has grown up ina rapidly changing world and is
comfortable with ambiguity.
They can inspire oldergenerations to think outside the
(04:59):
box and to embrace new ideas.
Climate consciousness Gen Z isdeeply concerned about climate
change and sustainability.
They can educate oldergenerations about the importance
of environmental responsibility.
Let's talk about some commonstereotypes about the different
generations and why thesestereotypes are harmful.
(05:21):
Boomers are often portrayed asout of touch, and why these
stereotypes are harmful.
Boomers are often portrayed asout of touch, resistant to
change and overly obsessed withmaterial possessions.
Gen X are sometimes seen ascynical, apathetic and
career-obsessed Millennials.
They're frequentlycharacterized as entitled, lazy
(05:41):
and addicted to technology.
Gen Z often portrayed assensitive, entitled and addicted
to social media, while shunningpersonal communication.
These stereotypes are harmfulbecause they oversimplify
complex groups of people andprevent us from seeing each
other as individuals.
(06:02):
They also contribute to thegenerational divide.
Let's look at some ways we canshatter these stereotypes.
We can begin by challenging ourown biases.
We need to become aware of ourown preconceived notions about
groups of people and especiallyabout different generations.
We need to be open to seekingout diverse perspectives.
(06:26):
Let's start by engaging inconversations with people from
different generations.
Let's educate ourselves.
Learning about the experiencesand challenges faced by
different generations will bringus all closer together, showing
us that we all face many of thesame challenges.
And let's celebrate ourdifferences by recognizing that
(06:50):
diversity is a strength, not aweakness.
Technology has undoubtedlychanged the way we live, work
and communicate.
While it has brought manybenefits, it has also
contributed to the generationaldivide.
Younger generations who grew upwith technology are usually
more comfortable with it and canadapt quickly to new platforms
(07:14):
and new tools.
Older generations, who may haveadopted technology later in
life, can sometimes feeloverwhelmed or even excluded.
This digital divide could leadto misunderstandings and
miscommunication.
For example, a boomer mightprefer to communicate by phone,
(07:35):
while a millennial or Gen Zmight prefer text or email.
You know, right here I want tobring up something that a friend
of mine calls the Platinum Rule.
We've all heard the Golden Ruletreat others the way you'd like
to be treated Well.
The Platinum Rule says Treatothers the way you'd like to be
treated Well.
(07:55):
The Platinum Rule says treatothers the way they would like
to be treated, and he gives anexample of how he would call his
daughter, and he would neverget a call back.
He would send an email to hisdaughter and she would not
answer.
But as soon as he discoveredthat text was her preferred
method of communication, itopened up the door to almost
instantaneous communicationbetween him and his daughter.
(08:15):
So remember that Treat othersthe way they want to be treated,
and that includes theirpreferred method of
communication.
On the other hand, technologycan also bridge the gap.
Social media platforms andvideo conferencing tools allow
people from differentgenerations to connect and to
share experiences.
(08:36):
And then, when it comes to AI,each generation has a different
perspective.
Boomers may view AI withskepticism.
They wonder if AI will takeaway their jobs.
It is my opinion that jobs willnot be lost to AI, but some
workers may lose jobs to peoplewho know how to utilize AI.
(08:57):
Either way, younger generationsare more likely to embrace AI.
Each generation sees itdifferently.
Let's take a look.
Boomers may be concerned aboutjob displacement and the ethical
implications of AI.
Gen X is likely to be more opento AI, but may have some
concerns about data privacy andsecurity.
(09:18):
Millennials are generally morecomfortable with AI and may see
it as an opportunity forinnovation.
And Gen Z well.
They grew up with AI and manyjust see it as a normal part of
life, not being too concernedabout all of the fear and
speculation about AI somedaytaking over the world or it
(09:41):
being some kind of an evil plot.
I think we all need to educateourselves on what AI is and how
we can use it in our daily livesand in our careers.
And how we can use it in ourdaily lives and in our careers.
It's essential for allgenerations to understand each
other's perspectives ontechnology and AI.
To work together efficiently,it's especially important for
(10:03):
older generations to educatethemselves on AI, learn to use
it as a tool for business andstop fearing it.
Let's take a look at buildingbridges.
How can we foster bettercommunication and understanding
across generations?
We've talked about theimportance of open dialogue,
active listening, empathy,mutual respect, mentorship and
(10:30):
shared experiences, but let'sdelve deeper into specific
actions individuals can take torise above stereotypes and
foster true communication.
First, educate yourself.
Seek out information andresources about different
generations.
Read books, articles, watchdocumentaries to understand the
(10:52):
unique experience andperspectives of those who are
older or younger than you.
Next, challenge yourassumptions.
Question your own stereotypesand biases.
Be open to the possibility thatyour assumptions are incorrect.
That's a tough one for many ofus, but, yeah, we can have
(11:13):
biases and assumptions and whatwe think of as truth and it
could really be way off the mark.
Another thing we can do ispractice empathy.
We need to try to see the worldthrough the eyes of someone
from a different generation.
Consider their experiences,challenges, hopes and dreams.
We need to find common ground.
(11:35):
Look for shared interests,values or experiences that
connect you with people fromdifferent generations.
Also, let's use inclusivelanguage.
Avoid using language thatspeaks against or includes
generational stereotypes in yourspeech, be open to new ideas.
(11:56):
We need to be willing to learnfrom others, regardless of their
age.
The young have a lot they canteach older generations and the
older folks can teach theyounger generations quite a bit
through their experience.
We need to all look at eachother as fellow human beings and
share our experiences inmutually educational ways that
(12:23):
help us all.
We need to spend time withpeople from different
generations.
Let's make a conscious effortto interact with people from
different age groups.
This could involve volunteering, joining a club or simply
finding time to spend a littlebit of time with younger family
members and friends.
Remember, building bridgestakes time and effort.
(12:46):
It's important to be patientand persistent.
However, by taking these steps,we can create a more connected
and understanding society.
By building bridges andfostering understanding, we can
create a more harmonious worldaround us, and if we meet either
virtually or in person, pleasereach out and share your
(13:10):
thoughts.
I won't yell at you or tell youto get off my lawn, that is,
unless you yell OK boomer.
At me, and even then, I'dprobably be likely to want to
build bridges rather than burnthem.
Remember we are all in thistogether.
Thanks for being here with ustoday.
Please join us next Wednesdayon the Zoomers to Boomers
(13:33):
Business Show right here onbizradious and in the podcast
universe on all of your favoritepodcast venues, and please
don't forget to subscribe, likeand share this podcast.
As you go about your day, Iwant to remind you to practice
kindness.
It's the greatest uniter thisworld has ever known.
(13:56):
See you next week.
This is Hank Eder, wishing allof you a fabulous, productive
and successful day.
this is the zoomers to boomers business show, and
you're listening to biz radiodot us all entrepreneurs all the
time.
Welcome to the zoomers toboomers business show right here
on bizradious All entrepreneursall the time.
I'm your host, hank Eder, alsoknown as Hank the PR Guy.
(00:33):
Today we're diving into a topicthat's been making waves in the
digital age the generationaldivide.
It seems like every generationis pointing fingers at the one
before or after it.
Boomers are often blamed forcreating a world of economic
inequality and environmentalchallenges.
(00:53):
Millennials get criticized forbeing entitled and job-hopping.
Gen Z is accused of beingoverly sensitive and addicted to
social media, and Gen Alpha,well, they're just getting
started.
These stereotypes are rampantand they're fueling a toxic
(01:16):
blame game that's tearing oursociety apart.
We've seen countless viralposts, heated online debates and
even political campaigns thatexploit these divisions.
But here's the thing While itmight be tempting to point
fingers and assign blame, that'snot going to solve any problems
.
In fact, it's creating a deeperdivide.
(01:37):
The truth is, we all need eachother.
We need to bridge these gaps,foster understanding and work
together to create a betterworld and a better future.
So let's talk about how we canopen up communication across the
generations, from Zoomers toBoomers.
We'll explore how differentgenerations approach business,
(02:00):
what we can learn from eachother and how we can build
bridges of mutual trust andrespect.
Let's start by looking at howdifferent generations approach
business.
Boomers, generally speaking,value loyalty, hard work and
face-to-face interactions.
They built their careers onthese principles.
(02:21):
Gen X is often seen as thebridge between boomers and
millennials.
They bring a blend oftraditional work ethic and
accountability.
They're comfortable withtechnology, but also appreciate
the importance of humanconnection.
Millennials, or Gen Y, havegrown up in a digital world.
They value work-life balance,collaboration and purpose-driven
(02:45):
work.
They're often seen as moreentrepreneurial and open to new
ideas.
They are not too likely to wantto work for bosses especially
bosses who don't appreciate themin low-paying, dead-end jobs.
It's not that they don't wantto work.
They just don't want to work inmeaningless positions where
(03:06):
they're not appreciated.
And finally, gen Z, theyoungest generation in the
workforce, is even moredigitally native than
millennials.
They prioritize diversity,inclusivity and social
responsibility.
They're quick learners and theyadapt to change very rapidly.
Each generation brings uniquestrengths and perspectives to
(03:29):
the table.
Let's talk about what eachgeneration can learn from the
others.
Yes, indeed, we can all learnfrom each other.
Boomers can learn from youngergenerations the importance of
technology, adaptability and afocus on work and life balance.
Gen X can learn from boomersthe value of loyalty, hard work
(03:51):
and building strong professionalrelationships.
Millennials can learn fromolder generations the importance
of patience, perseverance andthe value of experience.
Gen Z can learn from allgenerations the importance of
collaboration, empathy and thepower of mentorship.
And Gen Z, which always seemsto get a bad rap, really has a
(04:15):
lot to teach older generationstoo, such as digital fluency.
Gen Z is incredibly tech savvyand can teach older generations
how to leverage technology moreeffectively in both personal and
professional lives.
Diversity and Inclusion Gen Zis the most diverse generation
(04:37):
yet and they have a strong senseof social justice.
They can teach oldergenerations about the importance
of creating inclusiveenvironments, creativity and
innovation Gen Z has grown up ina rapidly changing world and is
comfortable with ambiguity.
They can inspire oldergenerations to think outside the
(04:59):
box and to embrace new ideas.
Climate consciousness Gen Z isdeeply concerned about climate
change and sustainability.
They can educate oldergenerations about the importance
of environmental responsibility.
Let's talk about some commonstereotypes about the different
generations and why thesestereotypes are harmful.
(05:21):
Boomers are often portrayed asout of touch, and why these
stereotypes are harmful.
Boomers are often portrayed asout of touch, resistant to
change and overly obsessed withmaterial possessions.
Gen X are sometimes seen ascynical, apathetic and
career-obsessed Millennials.
They're frequentlycharacterized as entitled, lazy
(05:41):
and addicted to technology.
Gen Z often portrayed assensitive, entitled and addicted
to social media, while shunningpersonal communication.
These stereotypes are harmfulbecause they oversimplify
complex groups of people andprevent us from seeing each
other as individuals.
(06:02):
They also contribute to thegenerational divide.
Let's look at some ways we canshatter these stereotypes.
We can begin by challenging ourown biases.
We need to become aware of ourown preconceived notions about
groups of people and especiallyabout different generations.
We need to be open to seekingout diverse perspectives.
(06:26):
Let's start by engaging inconversations with people from
different generations.
Let's educate ourselves.
Learning about the experiencesand challenges faced by
different generations will bringus all closer together, showing
us that we all face many of thesame challenges.
And let's celebrate ourdifferences by recognizing that
(06:50):
diversity is a strength, not aweakness.
Technology has undoubtedlychanged the way we live, work
and communicate.
While it has brought manybenefits, it has also
contributed to the generationaldivide.
Younger generations who grew upwith technology are usually
more comfortable with it and canadapt quickly to new platforms
(07:14):
and new tools.
Older generations, who may haveadopted technology later in
life, can sometimes feeloverwhelmed or even excluded.
This digital divide could leadto misunderstandings and
miscommunication.
For example, a boomer mightprefer to communicate by phone,
(07:35):
while a millennial or Gen Zmight prefer text or email.
You know, right here I want tobring up something that a friend
of mine calls the Platinum Rule.
We've all heard the Golden Ruletreat others the way you'd like
to be treated Well.
The Platinum Rule says Treatothers the way you'd like to be
treated Well.
(07:55):
The Platinum Rule says treatothers the way they would like
to be treated, and he gives anexample of how he would call his
daughter, and he would neverget a call back.
He would send an email to hisdaughter and she would not
answer.
But as soon as he discoveredthat text was her preferred
method of communication, itopened up the door to almost
instantaneous communicationbetween him and his daughter.
(08:15):
So remember that Treat othersthe way they want to be treated,
and that includes theirpreferred method of
communication.
On the other hand, technologycan also bridge the gap.
Social media platforms andvideo conferencing tools allow
people from differentgenerations to connect and to
share experiences.
(08:36):
And then, when it comes to AI,each generation has a different
perspective.
Boomers may view AI withskepticism.
They wonder if AI will takeaway their jobs.
It is my opinion that jobs willnot be lost to AI, but some
workers may lose jobs to peoplewho know how to utilize AI.
(08:57):
Either way, younger generationsare more likely to embrace AI.
Each generation sees itdifferently.
Let's take a look.
Boomers may be concerned aboutjob displacement and the ethical
implications of AI.
Gen X is likely to be more opento AI, but may have some
concerns about data privacy andsecurity.
(09:18):
Millennials are generally morecomfortable with AI and may see
it as an opportunity forinnovation.
And Gen Z well.
They grew up with AI and manyjust see it as a normal part of
life, not being too concernedabout all of the fear and
speculation about AI somedaytaking over the world or it
(09:41):
being some kind of an evil plot.
I think we all need to educateourselves on what AI is and how
we can use it in our daily livesand in our careers.
And how we can use it in ourdaily lives and in our careers.
It's essential for allgenerations to understand each
other's perspectives ontechnology and AI.
To work together efficiently,it's especially important for
(10:03):
older generations to educatethemselves on AI, learn to use
it as a tool for business andstop fearing it.
Let's take a look at buildingbridges.
How can we foster bettercommunication and understanding
across generations?
We've talked about theimportance of open dialogue,
active listening, empathy,mutual respect, mentorship and
(10:30):
shared experiences, but let'sdelve deeper into specific
actions individuals can take torise above stereotypes and
foster true communication.
First, educate yourself.
Seek out information andresources about different
generations.
Read books, articles, watchdocumentaries to understand the
(10:52):
unique experience andperspectives of those who are
older or younger than you.
Next, challenge yourassumptions.
Question your own stereotypesand biases.
Be open to the possibility thatyour assumptions are incorrect.
That's a tough one for many ofus, but, yeah, we can have
(11:13):
biases and assumptions and whatwe think of as truth and it
could really be way off the mark.
Another thing we can do ispractice empathy.
We need to try to see the worldthrough the eyes of someone
from a different generation.
Consider their experiences,challenges, hopes and dreams.
We need to find common ground.
(11:35):
Look for shared interests,values or experiences that
connect you with people fromdifferent generations.
Also, let's use inclusivelanguage.
Avoid using language thatspeaks against or includes
generational stereotypes in yourspeech, be open to new ideas.
(11:56):
We need to be willing to learnfrom others, regardless of their
age.
The young have a lot they canteach older generations and the
older folks can teach theyounger generations quite a bit
through their experience.
We need to all look at eachother as fellow human beings and
share our experiences inmutually educational ways that
(12:23):
help us all.
We need to spend time withpeople from different
generations.
Let's make a conscious effortto interact with people from
different age groups.
This could involve volunteering, joining a club or simply
finding time to spend a littlebit of time with younger family
members and friends.
Remember, building bridgestakes time and effort.
(12:46):
It's important to be patientand persistent.
However, by taking these steps,we can create a more connected
and understanding society.
By building bridges andfostering understanding, we can
create a more harmonious worldaround us, and if we meet either
virtually or in person, pleasereach out and share your
(13:10):
thoughts.
I won't yell at you or tell youto get off my lawn, that is,
unless you yell OK boomer.
At me, and even then, I'dprobably be likely to want to
build bridges rather than burnthem.
Remember we are all in thistogether.
Thanks for being here with ustoday.
Please join us next Wednesdayon the Zoomers to Boomers
(13:33):
Business Show right here onbizradious and in the podcast
universe on all of your favoritepodcast venues, and please
don't forget to subscribe, likeand share this podcast.
As you go about your day, Iwant to remind you to practice
kindness.
It's the greatest uniter thisworld has ever known.
(13:56):
See you next week.
This is Hank Eder, wishing allof you a fabulous, productive
and successful day.
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