It’s no secret that Millennials and Boomers often don’t see eye-to-eye. After all, they grew up in very different worlds – Millennials, in their younger years, saw the world go through significant economic and technological growth.
On the other hand, many Boomers faced substantial financial difficulties, the oldest were born just after WW11 into a time of great economic difficulties.
Not seeing eye-to-eye doesn’t have to be the default, and the two generations can complement each other greatly.
There is a lot that Boomers can learn from us Millennials – from creative business models to harnessing the power of technology for our own benefit.
Here are ten things we Millennials can teach Boomers about adapting to the changing world; once you understand them, your life can become much easier!
#1. The Power of Social Media
Baby Boomers may have missed the social media revolution, and perhaps many think that people their age should be using different things than Millennials.
However, that doesn’t have to be the way.
Social media use isn’t just limited to younger generations. Done the right way, retiree-age folks can leverage the immense power of these platforms to reconnect with friends and family they may have lost contact with years ago.
#2. Embracing Change
There’s no doubt that Baby Boomers have seen their fair share of change.
They remember a time before the internet and cell phones – when sending a letter would take days or weeks through the mail, but now there is an app for almost anything you can think of.
Photos, videos, and messages from the other side of the world are shared in fractions of a second.
While change has impacted both generations, the speed of that change has been chiefly felt by Millennials.
They’ve proved much more adept at dealing with changes in technology and popular culture change than most Boomers could ever hope to do.
#3. Technology Adoption
Millennials are no strangers to technology, from the phones in their pockets to the computers on their desks.
As digital natives, they’ve grown up surrounded by ever-evolving internet technologies and watched social networks explode with activity.
This generation of tech-savvy pioneers is the best-positioned generation to take advantage of these innovative tools and new advancements.
Not only that, but prominent experts in emerging trends such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality are Millennials.
For Boomers to lean into their knowledge in these areas is no bad thing, they can even show Boomers how to use WhatsApp!
#4. Flexible Work Schedules
As Millennials, we are fortunate to have so many job opportunities that Baby Boomers weren’t offered.
These opportunities give Millennials the flexibility to work when and where they please.
Gone are the days of having to spend 40 hours a week (or more!) stuck in an office cubicle; instead, respondents from a 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of millennials prefer flexible or freelance working arrangements over traditional 9-to-5 jobs.
From remote positions to on-demand services like Uber, Flexible Work Schedules offer us the much-needed balance between our careers and personal lives – something other generations only wished they had.
#5. Collaborative Working Environment
As Millennials, we live in an unprecedented time of opportunity where collaboration is king.
As the digital age ushers in global connectivity and efficient and open communication platforms, our generation has quickly adopted collaborative working environments that emphasize teamwork over individual achievement.
We have realized that great things can be accomplished by pooling resources and sharing knowledge, skills, and experiences – all staples of a thriving collaborative working environment.
What once seemed like an ambitious proposal for integrating individuals into collaborative workflows is now becoming the norm as more businesses embrace this new way of managing their employees.
#6. Creative Problem Solving
Millennials have embraced creative problem-solving like no other generation before them. With their natural inventiveness and resourceful approach to life, millennials are well-suited for finding solutions to the most difficult challenges.
They bring an enthusiasm and innovative spirit that encourages teamwork and collaboration among peers as they strive to find the best answers while respecting both new ideas and traditional approaches.
It’s no secret that Millennials are the driving force behind many of today’s most significant technological, scientific, and industry advancements.
In addition to their forward-thinking approach to tackling complex problems with innovative solutions, one thing that sets them apart is their willingness to try new ways of approaching these obstacles.
Boomers, we can appreciate the value of creative problem-solving– even though it may be a bit outside their traditional comfort zone!
#7. Adaptability
They watched our parents and grandparents rely on the same jobs for decades, building their lives around job security as loyalty to an employer brought certain rewards.
However, over recent years we have seen a shift in attitude amongst younger generations. Millennials, in particular, have embraced adaptability with open arms as they move forward in this ever-changing economy.
#8. Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
Baby Boomers have seen many things come and go throughout their lives.
They have experienced different cultural movements, witnessed the growth of technology, and even lived through multiple economic recessions — all of which have shaped them into who they are today.
But one thing that has stayed the same over time is their sense of values: quantity over quality.
For as long as they recall, striving to own the most possessions has been a priority for many, usually because it’s assumed that having more equates to success or status in some way.
However, while this may have once been true, nowadays, Millennials’ value system has shifted away from what was once expected.
The younger generation is seeking quality over quantity items and away from the commercialization of life.
#9. Networking Skills
It is no secret that Millenials are renowned for their ability to network, but why are these valuable skills so highly sought?
It could be argued that the advantages of networking have become increasingly apparent in this age of technological advancement and globalization.
While it has always been important for Boomers to build quality connections, greater emphasis on career-oriented socializing is more prominent among members of the younger generation.
#10. Self-Care Practices
For Boomers, it can be hard to understand the Millennial’s approach to self-care.
But in recent years, more and more data suggest that Millennials have become particularly adept at embracing healthy habits that promote lasting well-being – from finding humor in daily life to engaging in mindful practices.
There are simple yet powerful things Millennials do to support physical and mental health, regardless of age.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Dean Drobot.