Emotional Intelligence + Generational Differences
The other night, my son hit a double and struck a pose on second base. I thought, “A Karate Kid tribute! Total Mr. Miyagi moment!”
Nope.
It was a viral TikTok trend called the Fairy Pose. Same pose. Two very different interpretations.
It reminded me how easily we misread each other, especially across generations.
In the workplace, this happens all the time. What one generation sees as lazy, another sees as boundary-setting. What feels like disrespect to one might just be directness to another.
Here are 3 EQ tips to bridge the generational gap:
1. Get curious, not critical.
When something feels “off,” pause before reacting. Ask, “Can you tell me more about that?” instead of assuming the worst.
2. Challenge your lens.
Your perspective is shaped by your generation, experience, and beliefs. It’s not the only lens, just one of many.
3. Celebrate the edge.
Each generation brings something powerful: wisdom, innovation, speed, empathy. The most effective teams blend these gifts.
Emotional intelligence is how we meet in the middle AND win together.
So now I need to know: when you see the pose in the pic below…
Did you see Karate Kid or the Fairy Trend? Daniels Son or Tinkerbell? Lol
And if you're curious about emotionally intelligent training to navigate generational dynamics in the workplace, let’s set up a call. I’ve got content that bridges the gap—and gets results.
