The coexistence of different generations in society and the workplace has always been a challenge. Today, however, the distance between those born in the 1950s and 1960s and Generation Z seems greater than ever. It is not only the decades that separate them; it is life experience itself—the formative tools and values shaped in entirely different environments.
The generation of the ’50s and ’60s grew up in a Greece seeking stability, built families, and worked with an ethic of toil, sacrifice, and perseverance. Its code is the spoken word, the personal relationship, the reliability of one’s “word of honor.” At its core lie trust that is earned slowly, discipline, and faith in institutions and hierarchies.
By contrast, Generation Z grew up at the speed of the digital world, with instant access to information and a culture that emphasizes individuality, authenticity, and diversity. Its code is visual: images, emojis, short messages and videos—the constant stream of social media. For this generation, authenticity counts more than title, flexibility more than stability, speed more than formality.
How, then, can they meet?
The first shared code is respect for experience. Despite its digital dynamism, Generation Z needs the examples of resilience and wisdom carried by older people. Conversely, those born in the ’50s and ’60s need to recognize that the pace of technology and new values are not a threat but a tool.
The second code is the language of substance. Older generations value speech grounded in experience; younger ones value words matched by action and sincerity. When both sides speak without pretense, they can find common ground.
Finally, the third code is participation in joint endeavors. At work, in society, and even within the family, generations are bridged through shared action. When experience meets freshness and creativity, the gap turns into synergy.
The challenge is not to erase differences, but to harness them. People born in the ’50s and ’60s and those of Generation Z can communicate only if they see in each other not a “stranger,” but a fellow traveler in a changing world.