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Millennials, baby boomers, Generation X, and Gen Z have all captured our attention. Not a single day goes by without some mention of these generations, particularly when it comes to the way we work.
My inbox has been bursting with news about millennials being the most supportive generation in the workplace, as well as UK baby boomers being the only generation still working at pre-pandemic levels.
Generation X workers are impressing their younger colleagues with stories of a time when work email didn’t invade personal lives, while Gen Z is reportedly struggling to manage their finances during Christmas.
However, these developments are built upon a flawed assumption that our thoughts and behaviors are solely based on our age group. We are influenced by various factors such as aging, societal events like wars or pandemics, and technological advancements like the smartphone.
The abundance of stereotypes surrounding millennials and boomers, such as the “snowflake millennial narcissists” or “greedy boomer technophobes,” lacks factual evidence. But what if these stereotypes are fueling real generational hostility in the workplace?
Recent research suggests that this might indeed be the case, particularly in the US. A study published last month reveals that baby boomers and millennials perceive each other as more dislikable and threatening compared to other adult generations.
Boomers fear that millennials’ worldviews undermine traditional values, while millennials worry about boomers hindering their political power and financial stability. Interestingly, when both groups were informed that these stereotypes were unfounded and reminded that each group would eventually be the same age, the animosity levels declined.
Nevertheless, the sad truth is that people’s belief in these stereotypes has real consequences. Scholars have long criticized the flaws of generational generalizations, but employers continue to treat younger workers as lazy job-hoppers and older ones as resistant to change.
Is it possible for these artificially constructed assumptions about age-related behaviors to fade away? According to Mauro Guillén, the outgoing dean of the Cambridge Judge Business School, the shift has already begun. In his upcoming book “The Perennials,” Guillén argues that with longer lifespans and evolving technologies, we are moving towards a “postgenerational” society where people are defined by how they work, learn, and live rather than their birth year.
There is already evidence of people defying societal expectations based on age, such as the increasing number of individuals over 30 pursuing online education. Technology has driven this change, along with young entrepreneurs running large companies with older workforces – a phenomenon previously uncommon outside of family-owned businesses.
On the other hand, older individuals are reentering the workforce after retirement, and brands are under pressure to cater to consumers of all ages. While the idea of a “perennial” society is appealing, it is unlikely that generational labels will ever completely disappear, as humans have a natural tendency to categorize and generalize. However, it would certainly benefit us to remain more closely connected to reality.
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