Peace, Generational dilemmas, and the Power of Coexistence

A Festive Season in Vladikavkaz

This festive season, I'm in Vladikavkaz, a small and beautiful city in North Ossetia, Russia, with my powerhouse grandmother.

She turned 86 in November, and after teaching at music school for 60 years, finally retired. I can't even begin to calculate how many students she inspired over her incredible career.

Being here has been a time of reflection. My grandmother lives in a small apartment she received from the government 25 years ago. Before that, she rented. Everything here - the Soviet-style buildings, old furniture, and her very old TV with the "big belly" at the back - feels like stepping back in time.

It not only reminds me of my humble beginnings, but also highlights the incredible progress humanity has made in recent decades—a progress that is far more visible in some parts of the world than in others.

Generational Clashes and What They Teach Us

My grandmother, with her strong personality and traditional views, disapproves of my modern “European” ways. She doesn’t understand—and doesn’t want to understand—how we live today. She is certain her way is better. For the most part, I try not to argue, but yesterday, we had a small clash while she was teaching me a Tchaikovsky piece on the piano. Her old-school teaching style didn't sit well with my approach as a student, and vice versa.

It made me think about generational dynamics, not just in families but in the workplace.

Younger generations often view older ones as outdated and less adaptable, while older generations see younger ones as entitled and inexperienced. The truth is, both sides have something invaluable to offer:

? Younger generations bring fresh ideas, tech-savviness, and a hunger for innovation. They challenge old ways of working, advocate for flexibility, and focus on purpose-driven work.

? Older generations bring wisdom, resilience, and institutional knowledge. They’ve weathered crises, built systems, and can provide invaluable mentorship.

Instead of allowing these differences to create tension, we can embrace them as opportunities for growth:

1. Mentorship and Reverse Mentorship: Older employees can guide with their experience, while younger ones can teach new technologies and approaches.

2. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Diverse teams often find balanced, creative solutions that neither generation could achieve alone.

3. Bridging the Communication Gap: Older generations can adopt more transparent communication styles, while younger ones can learn patience and diplomacy.

4. Fostering Respect: Recognizing value in different work styles builds trust and reduces misunderstandings.

Funny enough, despite our clash, I managed to learn the Tchaikovsky piece much faster with my grandmother’s method than I ever have with my younger teacher in Rotterdam. Though her approach was rough, it worked.

At the end of the day, it’s about setting aside the need to be “right” and focusing on how we can work together to achieve shared goals.

A Larger Reflection on Conflict

This need to be “right,” to impose our values on others, isn’t just a generational issue. It’s also the root of many larger conflicts—even wars.

Post World War II, the Cold War emerged because US opposed communism, and the Soviet Union opposed capitalism. Many people suffered through proxy wars, and continue suffering today. Ironically, neither system proved perfect, yet both contributed something valuable to humanity.

For some of us, war is closer than for others. Just two days before I arrived, an Azerbaijani airplane was shot down near the region I was supposed to fly to. A piece of yet a different drone caused an explosion just a few blocks from my grandmother’s house on the same day. My flight back is canceled, and I’ll be taking four different planes to be able to get to Baku and then to the Netherlands. What worries me most is not knowing when—or how easily—I’ll be able to return to this beautiful little city, with the powerful river Terek and my powerhouse grandmother, who has so much to teach me about life.

A New Year’s Wish

This New Year, my wish is for us, as humanity, to continue learning to celebrate our differences. To approach life with humility and always make space for opposing opinions. To coexist peacefully in this small world during our short lives.

I know that these days, anything associated with Russia carries a negative connotation—even the Russian language. But I was raised in this language, and it will always remain my favorite. Funny enough, in Russian, the words for Peace and World are the same: Мир. And so, we wish for Мир во всем Мире!—Peace in the whole World.

Happy New Year!