Leading Tomorrow
  • Home
  • Areas of Interest
    • Blog
    • About
    • Testimonials
    • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Education Topics
    • Corporate Topics
    • Faith-Based Topics
    • Missions and Ministry
    • Military Topics
  • Coaching
  • Shop
  • Contact

BLOG

More Than a Generation Gap

2/2/2025

0 Comments

 

In the past 20-30 years, cultural and societal changes have been significant. The speed of change has accelerated, so has our access to watching change happening around the world. These are among the many reasons that the differences between older and younger generations today are more than a generation gap.

Here is one way to think about generational differences today. Imagine that the Silent (b. 1929-1945) and Baby Boomer (b. 1946-1964) generations were born into a blue room. Everything in the room was blue—the rules, the expectations, the work ethic and communication preferences, the values and perspectives.

​Then, Gen X (b. 1965-1980) came along and was also born into the blue room, but there was an open doorway where they could see into a green room beyond. While they are comfortable in the blue room, they also understand a lot that is green.

Millennials (b. 1981-1995) were born into the green room. However, like Gen X, they were next to an open doorway that allowed them to see into the blue room beyond. They too often understand elements of both rooms.

Then came Gen Z (b. 1996-2010) and Gen Alpha (b. 2011-). The youngest generations were born into the green room and the door to the blue room had closed. Objective truth, influence based on title or position, phones with cords, dial-up internet, in-person only learning and work, limited access to information, and many other “blue room” realities are things that many of them have never experienced. They may hear stories, have parents or grandparents who understand them, or even see glimpses of them in old movies or television shows, but “blue room” values and expectations are not something that is a part of their everyday experience.
​
For those born into the “green room,” the world has been/felt chaotic and uncertain their entire lives. I often hear older leaders asking why young people are not interested in learning about “blue room” ways of doing things. The reality? They are usually just trying to survive in the green room, where few older, wiser mentors and teachers are willing to enter, listen, and learn to help them figure out what it looks like to live and lead well in a room where the rules and realities are “green.” We need more “blue room” leaders who are willing to step across the threshold, with “blue room” wisdom to help young people today navigate the challenges and opportunities in the “green room.” This requires sacrifice, humility, a willingness to listen and learn, and authentic care for the “green room” natives.
​
For more on this topic, check out this month's episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast. 

0 Comments

    Author

    Dr. Jolene Erlacher is a wife, mommy, author, speaker, college instructor and coffee drinker who is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders for effective service!

    ​To view more articles by Jolene, visit sites below:
    Go. Serve. Love
    Missio Nexus
    Missionary Mobilization

    Archives

    June 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016

    Categories

    All
    Church
    Coaching
    Communication
    Culture
    Education
    Generation Z
    Leadership
    Mentoring
    Millennials
    Parenting
    Relationships
    Social Media
    Technology

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Areas of Interest
    • Blog
    • About
    • Testimonials
    • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Education Topics
    • Corporate Topics
    • Faith-Based Topics
    • Missions and Ministry
    • Military Topics
  • Coaching
  • Shop
  • Contact