in the 12 april 0n-line edition of ‘fast company’ (a digital and print business magazine) there is some fascinating predictions about intergenerational relationships in the post-COVID-19 world. in the article they are, or course, couched in terms of business, but can be seen as metaphors for society as a whole. author nichole kelly writes about her interview with jessie newburn, a generational intelligence expert.
to quote newburn,
the boomer generation, born 1943-1960, has a role in today’s new normal, which is to be our moral compass and set the direction for how the world will traverse the difficult times we’re in now and have yet ahead.
this is not a new role for elders. we have been holding this sacred task forever. this is the role of guide, mentor, sage, wisdom-keeper. sadly, most youngers devalue this role. however, newburn believes that each successive generation plays a vital role in the time to come, and that this role will once again, hold value.newburn goes on to say,
“every generation is receiving a calling to design our new normal. we’ll find millennials go from #okboomer to #i<3u2 as they receive mentorship from boomers on how to process their emotions. we'll also see them quickly leveling up their capacity and skills in working with gen-x leaders.“the generational alignment during society’s crisis era, or ‘fourth turning,’ as it’s called is this: elder boomers will point the way out of darkness; midlife gen-xers will marshal scarce resources and lead the troops; good-cheer millennials will respond to the boomer call for sacrifice . . . and will exceed even our wildest hopes of what they can do.”
for many of us, this points to children and grand-children taking up their roles as we move into a different time. it is our role to hold the lamp of experience for them and those generations, whether or not we have children and grand-children.now is a time when we can reflect on our values and pass them on to create a world that is more compassionate, more equitable, more just. it is a time when we can actively step up to this role as guide and sounding board. it is a time to act in whatever way we are able.(p.s not being a tweeter, i had to look up #i<3u2. for those who also don’t know what it means…i love you too, the third and fourth digits resemble a heart lying on its side.)