From ‘Keep Calm” to Calamity Parties: Rethinking Resilience
Our workplaces—and the world—are going through massive shifts. Not everyone feels the same about these changes, but many share a sense of uncertainty. I’ve felt it firsthand: Three clients recently hit “pause” on generational inclusion projects, unsure of their departments’ futures. A friend leading corporate DEI efforts just lost her entire team.
How do we process change like this?
Generations respond differently. Older generations often default to “Keep Calm and Carry On,” a resilience forged through past recessions, political shifts, and world crises. Gen Z, however, takes a different approach. Having grown up amid climate crises, financial instability, and a pandemic, they embrace uncertainty head-on—with humor, celebration, and even “Calamity Parties.”
A Calamity Party is both a mindset and an event—acknowledging chaos while finding joy in the moment. Think of it as resilience wrapped in irreverence. But is this a form of true strength or just another way to escape?
Rethinking Resilience
Every generation has its own version of coping:
1950s Post-War Boom: A focus on optimism and the American Dream masked unprocessed trauma.
1980s Hustle Culture: “Just Do It” and hyper-positivity pushed sheer willpower over systemic challenges.
Early 2000s Social Media Era: Toxic positivity flourished—“Everything happens for a reason” dismissed real struggles.
Gen Z, however, doesn’t pretend things are fine. They lean into discomfort, sometimes throwing a party in the middle of it. Is this a distraction, or could it be a healthier, more honest way to process change?
Why This Matters for the Workplace
In times of uncertainty, leaders can’t just rely on “Keep Calm” messaging—it no longer resonates. Instead, we must foster joy, which is deeper than happiness. Joy coexists with challenges. It grounds us in purpose, calm, and gratitude, making real action possible.
The question is: How do we balance realism and resilience—acknowledging hardship without getting stuck in despair?
Reflection for Leaders:
Have you ever experienced a moment where laughter or celebration helped you push through something hard?
How can workplaces cultivate a resilience that is both authentic and actionable?
Does our response to uncertainty empower people to take meaningful action—or just help them escape for a while?
True intergenerational leadership means embracing different approaches to resilience—learning from the past while making space for new ways forward.
More soon,
Mary