With our life experience, WiseTribers can light the way toward intergenerational growth. Building a constructive, comfortable, vibrant intergenerational community is going to take time and energy — it’s countercultural! But with the right foundation, we believe it can be done. WiseTribe community members uphold five values that set the tone for bridging the generational gap.
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Show respect.
Breaking down negative stereotypes works best when both parties start from a place of respect. When we respect our differences and seek understanding, we have much better chance of discovering common ground.
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Be willing to learn.
A posture of openness can turn even a bad experience into a learning experience — at least you know what to do differently the next time! When we demonstrate a willingness to learn, others are much quicker to help us out when we make a mistake. As Deb said, willingness to learn from others can keep us from falling into the same old “life ruts.”
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Suspend judgment.
When breaking social barriers, we are bound to make a few mistakes at first. As Eileen said, it’s easy to hold back for fear of saying the wrong thing. But if we make our intergenerational spaces safe for real, honest discussion by initially suspending judgment, we can work together to find constructive solutions.
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Meet on neutral ground.
As Helen said, sometimes having another activity to focus on helps people connect more naturally. It instantly builds commonality through shared experience and takes the pressure off individuals to connect.
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Try, try again.
We’re not going to figure this out the first time we get together. We have to make a commitment to learn how to navigate these relationships.
Elizabeth Kays is a passionate storyteller with a background in science and a deep love for all things intercultural and intergenerational. She graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford, deepening her understanding of both science and culture. Elizabeth has also worked with millennials for more than 10 years, helping them discover their communication and leadership talents. She’s more than a little bit nerdy and loves cooking, writing, speaking, and watching cheesy sci-fi. Follow her on Twitter (@LizKays) and on Tumblr.
Check out our blog for more articles on building intergenerational relationships and other initiatives driven by the members of WiseTribe. Join us to contribute your ideas!
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