Explore and examine some our tried and true exercises.

Exercise #1 - Build Awareness

Recall the first time you realized you were working with someone whose generational perspective was different from yours. 

Where were you when it happened? What was your gut reaction to the difference? What was your takeaway?

Or consider, could the communication issues and frustration you’re experiencing currently be related to a different generational perspective?

What are the clues that your current issues are related to different generational perspectives? What can you do to shift from frustration to collaboration?

Exercise #2 - From Resistance to Acceptance 

Review this chart. Think about the description of your generation. In what ways do you identify, and in what ways do you differ? It is worth noting that within every generational category, every individual differs in some way.

Think about the differences you identified. What if the differences between the generations are neither good nor bad — just different? Does that make them easier to accept? How might a change in your thinking about the generational differences shift your attitude toward the other generations and move you to acceptance?

It’s worth noting that acceptance does not mean approval. Just because you accept someone or a group of people doesn’t mean you approve all of their opinions and behavior. It just means you don’t pressure them to be someone or something they’re not. Acceptance means meeting people where they are and moving forward together.