Anna Bates’ Post

How millennials want to engage with development teams is different than previous generations. Is your organization ready? Tune in next Wednesday, October 30th at 1 PM EST to hear Insightful's Executive Vice President, Sarah Landman provide insights from candid interviews with high-net-worth millennials. The session will cover generational shifts in communication, engagement, and expectations along with real-world stories of successful and failed philanthropic relationships. Register here: https://ow.ly/Rs6Z50TQUU5

The Overlooked Generation: Gen X in the Spotlight! Nowadays, it is widespread to read numerous articles comparing the generations of Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z. These comparisons often differentiate them by personalities, behaviors, and more. We frequently find these generational distinctions in every aspect of life, including choice of music, work ethics, communication styles, and general behavior.   As a member of Generation X, I often feel like I belong to a silent and forgotten generation. I hardly notice anyone or any article providing a full exploration of Generation X compared to Millennials or Gen Z.   Have we been forgotten? Or are we simply staying quiet?   I am proud to say that I have survived and witnessed the world's transformation from before the digital era to the digital era. We are the witnesses who experienced the entire internet wave from its inception to its current state. We remember calling friends and family on analog phones and sending messages through pagers. In our youth, we often hung around public payphones to call home, friends, or those we had crushes on.   We were the first to embrace personal computers, video games, and the internet. Our lives were shaped by the transition from radio and tape recorders to cassettes, VCDs, DVDs, to the digital era with iPods and streaming services. We experienced both sides of the world—the analog past and the digital present.   Generation X has uniquely benefited from experiencing both the pre-digital and digital worlds. This dual perspective has given us a balanced view of change and adaptability. We learned patience and self-reliance in an era where instant gratification wasn't the norm, and we adapted to rapid technological advancements that revolutionized how we live, work, and communicate.   While Millennials are often described as the "sandwich generation," Gen X is also caught in the middle—caring for aging parents and supporting their children. This dual responsibility leads to significant financial and emotional stress. Our contributions and needs are frequently overshadowed by the more vocal Millennial and Boomer generations.   Yet, we persist. We have shown that we can thrive in uncertainty and continue to drive progress in diverse fields. Despite often being overlooked, we continue to influence and contribute significantly to society. Our resilience and adaptability are testaments to our strength. We are not a forgotten generation; we are the bridge between the old and the new, quietly but steadfastly making our mark. So, while the loud voices of Millennials, Boomers, and Gen Z dominate the conversation, let’s not forget the enduring presence and influence of Generation X. We have seen it all, from rotary phones to smartphones, from handwritten letters to emails, and we are still here, adapting and thriving. We are lucky to have experienced both sides of the world, and for that, we are truly fortunate.   #generationx          

Upper Iowa University’s 8th Annual Giving Day is only ONE WEEK AWAY and we are stoked about this year’s challenge - “Battle of the Generations!” If you haven’t already done so, be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday & Thursday, April 24 & 25. Team up with fellow Upper Iowa supporters from YOUR generation and make a huge difference with your gift! It's a simple, two-step process. 1) Select Your Generation (Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, or Gen Z) 2) Choose Your Fund! To learn more or make an early gift now, visit UIU.EDU/GIVINGDAY!

Just a millennial trying to decode Gen Z culture. Lol I find God using 4 generations to forward his agenda in a very targeted way. The Baby Boomers have grounding in longevity, theyve been around to see what the enemy attacks and how to defeat it. The Millennials have a grounding in authenticity, they're adaptable and have done the most work on healing and have mastered how to bring themselves to the alter everytime, calling people to repentance. The Gen X are a generation of wild people, they don't have to heal from the things millennial did, they don't have the experience Baby Boomers do but they are raw and real, the now is all they know and they are good at being in the present. They are the ones that are teaching previous generations how to let loose and let God do things with no preconceived ideas and no limitations. This is a very needed generation right now. Then we get the Alpha generation and I find them a mystery, these ones are young and very sensitive. However they do things with speed, they have wisdom beyond their years, they come with the words of God and are very unfiltered. They know what is God and what isn't and they are comfortable in environments that house the presence of God. This is a generation that will carry many powerful voices to be used in coming years, it will be a sign and wonder when they speak and heal and deliver at their young age. But God is collectively using these generations to bring about the Kingdom Agenda. For every weakness the next generation makes up in strength. This is why we need to pray for each other. And as we stand unified it's something like the power rangers when they come together. Every generation has a part to play now more than ever.

Ever feel like you’re hosting a family reunion at work—everyone’s related, but no one quite sees things the same way?  Managing Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all under one roof can feel like juggling four different conversations at once. And while this diversity is our biggest asset, it can also be the source of a few misunderstandings. If you’re leading a team that spans generations, you already know—it’s not one-size-fits-all. But that’s also where the magic happens.  Different perspectives mean different ideas, solutions, and approaches, which can be a game-changer for any organization.  The trick is finding common ground. Believe it or not, there is power in simply acknowledging generational differences and making space for everyone to share their views. It’s not about forcing agreement; it’s about fostering understanding.  When you create an environment where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z can all bring their best, you’re not just managing people—you’re elevating the whole team. Have you found ways to bridge those generational gaps at work?  Let’s swap stories—what’s worked (or maybe what hasn’t)? #DiversityEquityInclusion #TeamDynamics #WorkplaceCulture #Millennials  P.s. If you found this valuable: 🔂 Follow Carolina Caro for more on reimagining talent development. ♻ Repost this to empower multi-generational leadership in your workplace!

What do you think about when you think about generations? “Oh, those Millennials are so (fill in the blank).” Or, “Baby Boomers have ruined (fill in the blank).” I keep a cheat sheet with the names of the different generations near my desk for easy reference. I think it is unfortunate, to some degree, that we have decided to create these labels as a society. In many ways, they don’t work when describing our interactions with each other. However, I suppose it makes sense for demographic, marketing, and anthropological reasons. In his Wisdom Well post this morning, Chip Conley references a recently released study by CoGenerate called “What Young Leaders Want and Don't Want from Older Allies.” One of the very first findings caught my eye: “Generational conflict? Not always. We heard deep appreciation for older people who have walked alongside the young leaders, explaining the mistakes and successes of the past and helping them navigate challenging circumstances with the benefit of historical context. Some expressed frustration that younger generations are being stereotyped as ungrateful or uninterested in learning from elders. Nearly all recalled at least one transformative relationship with an older person who helped establish their appreciation for older generations.” Score one for wisdom. If you fall into the Baby Boomer group, hooray. If you are a Millennial, kudos to you. Start the walk today. Walk with a young leader, show them the ropes, be vulnerable, and start the conversation. Walk with an elder, show your spirit and yearning for a better world. They need to know. #mindset #intergenerational #babyboomer #millenials #wisdom

I am a happy millennial. Why? I was not so much into evolution. Until I read a verse in the Bible “And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” It made me start thinking of the previous generations. →Those that went into wars. →Those that discovered gravity. →Those that sent men to the moon. What did the millennials do? Our generation brought interconnectedness to the world. This makes me happy because I am not limited to my geographic location. I do not have to offer my services to my country alone. I do not need to rely on local clients alone. I do not need my local community alone. Today, a single search can give you all the information you need, About a person, a country, an organization, etc Without having to travel physically. Global issues have become a thing. Global conversations are initiated. It is easier for us than it was for our previous generations. We can work from any part of the planet, Provided we share common goals. Can you imagine what our ancestors would think if they knew we could connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, in just a few clicks? They would be amazed by the power of technology and the internet. We can learn from anyone, anywhere, at any time. We can access information, knowledge, and resources that were previously unavailable. We can connect with people who share similar interests and passions. We can collaborate and work together on projects that can change the world. We can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We can grow and develop as individuals and professionals. We can make a difference in the world. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on what makes you a happy millennial! Let’s connect and grow together! P.S. What are you doing with all this connectedness?

How are Gen Zers different from millennials? Those on the cusp of Gen Z and the millennial generation—people who were born shortly before the turn of the millennium—are sometimes referred to as “Zillennials” or “Zennials.” That includes older Gen Zers who’ve been in the workforce for a few years and young millennials who identify more with Gen Z. However, Gen Z generally has its own formative experiences distinct from those of most millennials. Here are some ways American Gen Zers differ from their older counterparts: -They are generally more pragmatic, with both complicated idealism and worries for the future. Gen Zers dream of personal career fulfillment but expect economic struggles. -They have less positive life outlooks, with lower levels of emotional and social well-being than older generations. -They are more interested in belonging to an inclusive, supportive community. -They are more individualistic, with a stronger sense of personal expression. -They are more politically and socially active, advocating for what they believe on social media.

A Thursday Throwback! A 10 year Anniversary of this publishing of my whitepaper, my presentation to the infamous MACPA Board, and my professional membership to the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) "She concuded with the following points: Communication is key, we all need to learn how to work together as a multi-generational workforce. Millennials will continue to enter the workforce, bringing with them a need for coaching and mentoring. Although Millennials may enter your firm as diamonds in the rough, there are ways to help make those jewels shine. When preparing to leave the company, encourage, engage, and share wisdom to the succeeding generation that will eventually run the company. Change is inevitable, the Millennials have arrived. Now what? The focus should be on welcoming them to the workforce and encouraging the retiring Baby Boomers to impart their wisdom to prepare and empower the Millennials in order to sustain future success of the organization. What to do about the entry of Millennials into the workplace: Understand them. Embrace them. Engage them. Retain them." By Tanyeka Alexander #rememberwhoyouare

🌍 Living Between Two Worlds: My Life as a Zillennial I always thought of myself as a typical Gen Z. After all, I grew up with the internet at my fingertips, effortlessly adapting to every new app or social media trend. But lately, I’ve realized something—while I might be labeled Gen Z, I often feel like I’m standing in the middle of two generations. You see, I’m what they call a "Zillennial"—someone who’s technically Gen Z but feels connected to the Millennial mindset too. Here’s what I mean... 📱 The Digital Dilemma : I love technology just like any other Gen Z-er. I can’t imagine a world without instant messaging, endless streaming, and scrolling through social media feeds. But I also remember what it was like when I had to wait for my favorite TV show to air or sit at a desktop computer to check emails in an internet cafe. That Millennial part of me appreciates that sense of patience, even though the world today moves faster than ever. 💼 Purpose vs. Stability : Gen Z is all about finding purpose—working for companies that align with our values, making a difference in the world. I feel that too. But there’s another side of me that craves the stability Millennials often talk about—long-term plans, growing roots, and finding balance in both work and life. It’s a delicate dance between chasing passion and building a stable foundation. 👥 Adaptable, but Nostalgic : While I love the fast pace of change, new trends, and innovation (bring on the new tech!), I often find myself drawn to the simpler times too. I miss the excitement of calling a friend to catch up, the joy of not being reachable 24/7, and yes—waiting for the next episode of a TV show instead of binge-watching it in a day. Living in this middle ground has its advantages. I can understand the quick, ever-evolving mindset of my fellow Gen Z-ers, but I also value the life lessons Millennials have shared—about patience, growth, and balance. Sometimes, it feels like I’m caught between two worlds. But honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s the best of both worlds—adaptability with roots, passion with purpose, and a tech-driven life with a hint of nostalgia. If you’re a fellow Zillennial or someone who feels like they’re navigating this in-between space, I’d love to hear your story. How do you find balance? #Zillennial #GenZ #Millennial #WorkLifeBalance #CareerJourney #Leadership #Adaptability