Four Generations, One Room

Picture this.

It’s Monday morning.
I walk into the conference room holding a coffee that’s already fighting for its life, mentally preparing for yet another episode of “Why can’t everyone just get along?”

Inside sit four people who might as well be from four alternate universes.

• Spark

Gen Z with a hoodie, laptop open, AirPods in, radiating the energy of someone running three side hustles before breakfast

• Glow

Millennials with iced latte, color-coded notes, emotional intelligence level: Jedi Maste.

• Steady

Gen X who is leaning back, arms crossed, speaking only when words genuinely matter

• Roots

Boomer with a phone in hand, scrolling with the calm, steady intention of someone who has seen every tech evolution and adapts in their own grounded way

I close the door and inhale.
And I think: This is either going to be magical or a slow-burning disaster.

Welcome to the modern workplace. This is the story about Modern teams from someone who works among them.

GEN Z “Spark” (1997–2012)

Spark kicks off the meeting before anyone can even settle in.

“Before we move ahead… what’s the actual purpose of this project?”

Steady’s eyes widen like someone just questioned gravity.
Roots tilts their head in that gentle “kids these days” way.
Glow smiles, because they know exactly what Spark is doing.

And here’s the thing: Spark is not challenging for the sake of it. They are being… well… Gen Z.

They have grown up seeing systems break, leaders crumble, and old rules exposed for the arbitrary lines they sometimes are. To them, asking why is not rebellion but a responsibility.
They do not worship hours or appearances but care about outcomes, impact, and efficiency.

And yes, sometimes their communication is a rapid-fire blend of platforms, GIFs, and emojis, but honestly? It works. Spark thrives when they understand the purpose, when they get quick and clear feedback, when questions are not punished but appreciated.
Give them flexibility, measure their results, and not their desk time. They will bring energy that lifts a whole team.

MILLENNIALS “Glow” (1981–1996)

Glow, the eternal harmonizer, senses tension in the air. “Okay team, what solution works best for all of us?”

Spark nods enthusiastically. Roots lifts an eyebrow. Steady exhales the long-suffering sigh of someone who survived dial-up.

Millennials grew up with group projects, reflective essays, and workplace posters telling them to “make a difference.” They internalized the idea that work should matter and not just pay.
They do not crave trophies but direction. They do not want flattery but growth. And yes, they want flexibility and promotions, because one should not cancel the other.

Working with Glows means giving them space to think, create, collaborate, and build. It means coaching instead of micromanaging, connecting tasks to meaning, and giving them real opportunities and not “someday” promises. When they feel their work matters, Glow becomes the glue holding everything and everyone together.

GEN X “Steady” (1965–1980)

Steady sits quietly through most of the meeting, absorbing everything with the stillness of someone who has seen every workplace trend come and go.

I used to wonder if silence meant dissatisfaction. Then I learned that with Steady, silence often means processing. And when Steady finally speaks, it’s one sentence which is sharp, direct, and usually more insightful than the previous twenty minutes combined.

Gen X doesn’t waste words. They have lived through more corporate reinventions and “revolutionary” management frameworks than the rest of us combined. They trust results, not hype. They want honesty, autonomy, and the freedom to get the work done without someone breathing down their neck.

The best way to work with Steady is simple: clarity, trust, and directness. When you give them ownership and respect their boundaries, they transform into the quiet engine you forget about, until it powers the entire operation.

BABY BOOMERS “Roots” (1946–1964)

Roots clears their throat gently. “Maybe we should jump on a phone call about this.”

Spark freezes mid-scroll. Glow blinks twice. Steady is already dialing.

Boomers get teased often as “old school,” “stuck in their ways,” “not tech-friendly”. But working with Roots taught me something important that experience is a perspective, not a limitation.

Roots are not technophobic, and they just want to understand the value before learning the tool.
They are not inflexible but simply know how quickly things can break when change is rushed.
They are not resisting modern ways but protecting what still works.

And here’s the truth no one says out loud. Roots bring a calm, seasoned resilience that younger generations do not always recognize. They grew up in a world where you pushed through, adapted fast, and did not have the luxury of panic or instant answers.

So yes, they may wonder why younger generations rewrite rules so quickly. They may find spontaneity a bit jarring. And they may feel that “not going by the book” is risky. But they care, deeply. And they carry wisdom that cannot be Googled, duplicated, or downloaded.

When Roots are involved early, ask for their perspective, let them mentor others, and show genuine respect, their presence becomes a stabilizing force that helps everyone else breathe easier.

AND THEN THE MEETING ENDS

I walk out thinking: “How do these four even function in the same universe?” But that is the wrong question. The real magic is not in making everyone the same, but it is in understanding what each of them brings.

Spark brings the future. Glow brings connection. Steady brings clarity. Roots bring wisdom. And me? I am the one lucky enough to turn this generational chaos into collective brilliance.

Because great leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It is one-size-fits-each.

 

Storyteller