In today’s workplace, we’re witnessing the unique dynamics of up to five different generations working side by side. This mix brings valuable perspectives but also poses challenges, especially around communication and understanding. For instance, in a survey I conducted in 2023 with 110 professionals, 66% reported that intergenerational communication issues were impacting business efficiency.

This isn’t isolated to any one sector; it’s a challenge felt across industries. Today, I’ll be joining an insightful panel discussion on “Engagement and Communication Across Generations” at the MESA Monthly Meeting. I’m thrilled to be joined by Rob Davidson and Alisa Grafton, with expert moderation by Richard John, and special thanks to Sandie McCoubrey for bringing us all together.

Our conversation will centre on how the events industry can better engage different age groups, especially with Gen Z. What will inspire them to join our field, stay engaged, and attend events actively?

One critical topic I’ll touch on is how understanding a generation means understanding the experiences that shaped them—their world, their upbringing, and the defining moments in their lives. While it’s often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the quote “To understand a person, you have to know what was happening in the world when they were twenty” likely originated with historian G. M. Young. I agree that our early twenties shape much of our outlook, with life stages like higher education and early career experiences influencing who we become. But I believe key formative years extend even further back, particularly from ages 11 to 15 when independence grows and worldviews start to solidify.

This also brings to mind Aristotle’s wisdom: “Give me a child until he is 7, and I will show you the man.” I’d argue it’s the experiences through our early twenties that give us the fullest understanding of a generation.