Conversations across Generations
Most of us spend our time alongside people who grew up in different eras, with different ideals about how we talk to one another and what feels right and respectful in practice.
Most of us don't talk about it directly.
Earlier this year, Community Waitākere created a space to do exactly that.
As part of the He Kete Rauemi workshop series, Bridging the Generational Gap brought together a group of eighteen people spanning Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z. The conversation covered lived experience, communication differences and expectations, and what it actually takes to effectively communicate across generations.
Younger participants named the specific experience of their voices being sidelined. Older participants named the experience of hard-won knowledge going unasked-for. Community Developer Daena Walker reflects:
"The gap between generations, it turned out, is similar from both sides. We all want the same things."
The report outlines the key themes that emerged - including communication differences, power and hierarchy, and what makes intergenerational collaboration work when it does - alongside practical recommendations for organisations ready to have this conversation with their own people.
Feedback from the report findings has been swift. Word of mouth is leading to requests for further workshops to be held for community organisations across Tamaki Makaurau.
“The workshop itself was very rewarding to be part of, and I can see the benefit of running it again specifically for my team at to support out mahi alongside community.”
- Team Lead from a community-based organisation
The report is available to download below.