VIDEO: Stop saying Gen. Z or Gen. Alpha! Ask these 3 questions to get to know them.
Focus: To understand people different from yourself, observe how they talk, how they behave, and how they can tell who is in or out of their group.
Generational labels: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, Gen A … whatever comes after that! They're broad stereotypes, and they're really too broad to be helpful, because these titles apply to everyone born during a 12-19 year birth range. It's easy to see that people who were born 11-18 years apart are very different.
So, why do we insist on using those titles?
Well, people in those birth ranges do have worldwide events in common.
Millennials were impacted by 9/11. Gen. Z, was impacted by the COVID pandemic, and Generation Alpha = the rise of AI.
But it's still disingenuous to label people one of those names. It doesn't recognize their uniqueness within a broad birth range.
So, how should you connect? Learn their culture by asking yourself 3 questions.
How does this group talk alike?
How does this behave alike?
And how do they tell who is in their group and who is not?
So next time you want to connect with a person from a different culture, don't start by labeling them with a generational stereotype. Rather, get to know them and understand how they talk, how they behave, and how they can tell who is in or out of their group.
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Bob Whitesel (D.Min., Ph.D.) is a foresight coach, professor, and award-winning author of 14 books. For over 30 years, he has guided leaders and churches to pivot and engage what’s next. He holds two earned doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary and teaches on leadership foresight, church health, and organizational change. His website is www.ChurchForesight.com. Learn More » |
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