You're facing generational stereotypes in a new culture. How can you overcome them to drive progress?

In my experience, breaking these stereotypes and taking the first step between generations is often expected from the older generation, but we often do not realize that it is easier for the younger generation to do this. It is always easier for a generation that was raised with fewer streotypes than before to break down their walls and reach the person behind the other wall.

There is always going to generational stereotypes, gaps and bias. One can't escape the cycle. It's Okay! Bridge the Gap: Actively seek to understand the values and work styles of different generations. Learn from their strengths and experiences. Earning Respect: Demonstrate your expertise and value through results. Let your work speak for itself, regardless of age. Build Alliances: Find mentors across generations. Their guidance can bridge the gap and help you navigate cultural norms. Focus on Shared Goals: Shift the conversation to the team's objectives. Highlight how your ideas can benefit everyone, regardless of age. Lead by Example: Promote collaboration and open communication. When everyone feels valued, progress flourishes.

Promote a culture of learning by pairing team members from different generations for mentorship. This exchange of knowledge and experience can break down stereotypes and foster mutual respect.

Working together on projects helps individuals see each other’s strengths and abilities firsthand, fostering respect and breaking down stereotypes through shared goals and achievements.

I think one of the most important things when communicating is not to resort to mobbing by belittling the other person under the name of respect. Many people feel like they have to dominate the discussion when arguing about a topic with someone younger than them because of the stereotypes they have been exposed to since birth. But this is one of the mistakes that makes communication largely inefficient from the very beginning.

Different lifestyles enable us to learn different perspectives, and different perspectives enable us to understand and solve problems more easily. Something that seems wrong to us may seem right to us 5 years later, and we can only realize this by communicating, empathizing, and listening to different ideas.

To build common ground and facilitate open communication, I focus on developing strong personal relationships with those I work with. I have also found that being an advocate for creating an inclusive culture, embraces and instills diversity of thought and approaches.

It is not right to put people into certain molds under the name of generations, but with exceptions, we carry within us parts of the generations we were born into. These may determine whether some of our aspects are stronger or some of our aspects are weaker, but interaction with other generations guides us to strengthen our weaknesses. That is why creating an inclusive culture is critical to achieving development.

Many people feel that their dignity will be damaged if they do this. As a GenZ, it makes me respect my manager or friend who is more experienced than me more when he asks for my opinions and even puts those ideas before his own when necessary. I think those who think and implement the exact opposite will always be one step behind.