Connecting with Gen Next!

There seems to be a generation changing every 4-5 years now!

My son keeps reminding me with a smirk, " Ah that's how your generation works, doesn't work anymore..." Times I get defensive adding, "I do understand. I know how it goes. " But sometimes I stop in my tracks and wonder, "Do I? Do I see the world through their eyes? Is it even possible ? What am I missing? Where do I start? "

Whether you have the Gen Z or Z++ at home or work with them, I am sure we are bewildered at times, amused at times, and impressed at times. It took me quite some time to work myself out of the fears and insecurities to see my children in a new light, appreciate and accept the paths they chose. Now I am proud of the journeys they have chosen for themselves.

One thing that we know, whether we accept it or not, is that it is here to stay... the gap is only going to widen, the pace at which the world is changing is nothing less than mind-boggling!

The pace of change is relentless, and keeping up with it requires more than just awareness—it demands curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to listen.

I see people throwing in a lot of complaints on the current crop with terms like carefree, full of attitude, no respect, fickle minded etc.... Yes, go on if that helps!

I believe what helps is taking some time to undersand them, empathetically, to know what shapes and grooms them, of course their larger environment along with the familial backgrounds.

Understanding the Gen Next Mindset

Each generation is shaped by the world they grow up in. Today’s younger generation—whether you call them Gen Z, Gen Alpha, or simply Gen Next—has been raised in an environment vastly different from what we experienced. Their world is digital, hyper-connected, and fast-moving. Their challenges, values, and ways of thinking reflect this reality.

Some key shifts include:

• Identity & Expression: Labels and rigid definitions are fading. Personal identity is dynamic, and inclusivity is the norm. I personally have huge respect for the global mindset the younger generations imbibe and demonstrate(could be a gap with previous generations).
• Instant Access & Short Attention Spans: Growing up with on-demand everything means patience is in short supply. Information, entertainment, and learning happen in quick, engaging bursts. Come on, we are the same now, too!
• Purpose Over Profit: Meaningful work, social impact, and authenticity matter more than stability and status. So they look for more than money and perks, maybe because their insecurities are not the same as ours!
• Emotional Awareness & Mental Health Prioritization: Unlike older generations, where resilience often meant "toughing it out," younger generations openly discuss mental health, self-care, and work-life balance. Kudos to them! So much to learn here...

Having said that, it is not that they are without their own distresses! Youngsters report :

• Overwhelm : Of too much information, decision fatigue, misinformation
• Anxiety: From expectations, social pressures, fears of failure
• Competition and comparisons: The social media effect of 'never enough' leading to self doubts, constant need to keep up and stay relevant.
• Insecutities: Pressures and conflicts of 'fit-in' vs 'standout'; seeking validation impacting self-esteem; Questions around identity, belonging and purpose.
• Fears and apprehensions: aroung a volutile future. Global issues like Climate change, economic uncertainty, and global instability create a sense of helplessness. Fear of being left behind or not making an impact adds to their worries.
• Uncertainities: Constantly having to catch up and keep up with trends, while fighting instability and personal expectations.

Where Do We Start?

1. Listen Without Judgment Instead of assuming we know best, let’s start with genuine curiosity. Ask open-ended questions. What excites them? What challenges them? What do they wish older generations understood?
2. Step Into Their Digital World Dismissing new platforms as “just for kids” is a sure way to stay out of touch. Try engaging with the apps they use, the content they consume, and the trends they follow. This isn’t about “keeping up” but about understanding their cultural language.
3. Embrace Change, Even When It Feels Uncomfortable What worked for us may not work anymore. And that’s okay. Being open to evolving perspectives doesn’t mean losing our values—it means expanding them.
4. Find Common Ground Despite differences, core human values remain unchanged—love, connection, purpose. Focus on these shared foundations rather than the gaps.
5. Model Adaptability Instead of resisting change, we can lead by example—showing that learning, growing, and evolving is a lifelong journey. When we demonstrate curiosity and adaptability, younger generations are more likely to engage with us meaningfully.

Journey is beautiful when we can take people along! Every new crop comes with its own variety, bounty and resistance.