##Generational Shift: From Earth to Air, We Can All Breathe
It happens to the best of us. We start hearing those around us, maybe even ourselves sometimes, grumbling about the younger generation. "They use such strange words these days," or "Their work ethic just isn't the same." I get it. I'm nearing 50 myself, and surrounded by a wave of brilliant young colleagues and people in their 20-30s. They have their own lingo ("sending," "slaps," "snatched") and their unique ways of tackling work ("quiet quitting," "chaotic working"). It's easy to feel like we're speaking different languages.
Here's the thing: it's not that they're weird, it's that they're experiencing a whole new world. I remember hearing similar laments from those older than me when I was younger. Maybe it's because, astrologically speaking, there's a shift happening. Those of us approaching 50 grew up in a more grounded, "Earth era" kind of way. The younger generation? They're the rising "Air era," all about communication, innovation, and flexibility.
This isn't a reason to build a generational wall, but rather a bridge. Instead of dismissing their ways as strange, let's see it as an evolution. Their experiences, shaped by a global pandemic no less, are informing their communication styles and work preferences. Perhaps we can learn from their adaptability and embrace new approaches. Maybe they can learn from our experience and build upon it.
The key is understanding, not judgement. Let's open the door to communication. We can all learn from each other and create a more inclusive and dynamic work environment. After all, a place of work, or even society as a whole, that thrives embraces change, not resists it. Let's bridge the gap and breathe together in this new era.
