By Helen Hirsh Spence
Estimated Read, 3:00 min.
Image:  Workwise.co.uk

I recently wrote about bridging the generational divide and the growing importance of fostering intergenerational dialogue. This topic is more relevant than ever, especially as we navigate a world where five, sometimes six, generations coexist and collaborate in today’s workforce. With such diversity of age, experience, and perspective, the potential for both friction and innovation is immense.

Our collective understanding of the word “generation” has largely been shaped by how marketers and advertisers defined us. Labels like Traditionalists, the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z have become common parlance, convenient tools for segmentation, but often negative in practice. While these labels can help us understand broad societal trends, they also risk reinforcing stereotypes and creating artificial boundaries between people.

Historically, the term “generation” simply described a group of individuals born and living around the same time. Merriam-Webster defines it as “…a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously,” and “…the average period between the birth of parents and that of their offspring.” However, the term has since taken on multiple meanings depending on context:

• Social and demographic: Generations are defined by shared historical and cultural experiences that shape worldviews, values, and behaviour.
• Familial: The word maps our lineage—grandparent, parent, child.
• Technological: This marks progress and product evolution—think of the many generations of smartphones or gaming consoles. Who hasn’t been asked what generation their phone is?

While these definitions can be helpful, they also contribute to a culture that highlights differences rather than unity. When we describe someone as a “Boomer” or “Millennial” and attach a set of presumed traits such as communication styles, fashion, political beliefs, and work ethic, we risk perpetuating divisions. This type of generalization can lead to misunderstanding and mistrust, especially in multi-generational workplaces and communities. It also becomes a way to compete for attention, resources, recognition, or even healthcare, when what we categorically need is collaboration.

If you’ve ever worked with someone from a different generation, you likely know we all want to be valued. We crave acknowledgment for our contributions, whether we’re interns or seasoned leaders. We seek flexibility in how and where we work, benefits that meet our current life stage, and a workplace that offers belonging, psychological safety, and purpose. These desires are universal, transcending age or generational identity.

Yet too often, we buy into the rhetoric that paints generations as incompatible. Boomers resist change. Gen Z lacks a work ethic. Millennials are entitled. These are lazy stereotypes that ignore the nuance of individual experience. Worse, they reinforce siloed thinking at a time when we most need solidarity.

The world’s most pressing challenges, climate change, economic inequality, technological disruption, and global health, won’t be solved by one generation alone. We need to draw on the strengths of all age groups: the wisdom of experience, the fresh ideas of youth, and the insights that come from everything in between. Intergenerational dialogue isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential for progress.

So, next time you hear someone speak dismissively about “those young people” or “those old folks,” speak up. Remind them that no generation holds a monopoly on insight, innovation, or empathy. We are stronger together.

If you want to experience the power of bridging generations firsthand, try this: invite someone 20 years older or younger than you for coffee. Step out of your age bubble. Ask questions. Listen. Share. You might be surprised at how much you have in common and how much you can learn.

In a world that often emphasizes what sets us apart, intergenerational friendships and collaboration offer a powerful reminder of what connects us. Our future depends on it.