As a Gen Z Employee Surrounded by Baby Boomers, I’ve Adopted Some Surprising Work Habits
Entering the workforce, I found myself as a representative of Gen Z in a predominantly Baby Boomer environment. Initially, I assumed that our work styles would be worlds apart due to the generational gap. However, to my surprise, I’ve found myself increasingly inclined to adopt the work methods of my older colleagues.
Blending Generational Work Styles
As someone born into the digital age, I was accustomed to leveraging technology for almost every aspect of my work. From communication tools to project management software, I thought that these modern solutions were superior in every way to the traditional methods I saw my Baby Boomer colleagues using. They preferred face-to-face meetings, paper notes, and direct phone calls — methods that seemed outdated to me at first.
What I didn’t expect was the effectiveness of their approach. The personal touch in their interactions often led to stronger relationships and a deeper understanding among team members. This was something I felt was lacking in my digital-first strategy.
Adopting a Hybrid Approach
While I continue to appreciate the speed and efficiency that technology brings to our projects, I’ve started to see the value in slowing down and incorporating more personal interactions into my workflow. Instead of always defaulting to an email or a chat message, I now see the benefit of picking up the phone or scheduling a quick meeting. The blend of old and new methods has enhanced my productivity and my relationships at work.
I’ve also noticed that many of my Baby Boomer colleagues are more focused and less prone to multitasking compared to my generation. They tend to dedicate themselves to one task at a time, which results in thorough and high-quality outcomes. Witnessing this, I’ve been encouraged to occasionally set aside my multitasking habits and focus more deeply on individual tasks.
Valuing Face-to-Face Communication
One of the most significant shifts in my approach has been the increased value I place on face-to-face communication. There’s an undeniable richness in direct interactions that often gets lost in digital communication. Seeing non-verbal cues, experiencing the immediate give-and-take of conversation, and building camaraderie through physical presence have all contributed to more effective collaboration.
Conclusion
Working among Baby Boomers has unexpectedly steered me toward a work style that I hadn’t anticipated embracing. By integrating some of their traditional practices with my digital habits, I’ve developed a hybrid method that capitalizes on the best of both worlds. This experience has taught me that sometimes, the tried and true methods are worth revisiting and that there is much to learn from the generations that came before us.
Ethan Caldwell is a seasoned journalist specializing in world affairs and international relations.
With over a decade of experience covering geopolitical events, he brings sharp analysis and in-depth reporting to Urimuri.
