Mind the Gap.

Every year, all the women on my mother’s side of the family spend one weekend together.

We cook, we eat, we catch up, we cook, we eat, we play mah jongg, and then we eat and cook and eat some more.

And so, I spent last weekend with 20 of my female relatives between the ages of 18 and 90.

On Saturday night, we played a game called, “Mind the Gap.” It’s basically a Trivial Pursuit-type game with the questions segmented by age group: Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, Gen Zers, and Gen Alpha. We separated into our individual age groups accordingly.

While each age group was generally able to answer questions specific to their generation, we had a much harder time trying to answer the questions specific to the other generations.

In reflecting on that experience, it occurred to me the game was a metaphor for virtually every aspect of life.

Surrounding ourselves with people who’ve shared similar histories and life experiences does have its benefits, to be sure.

But surrounding ourselves with people who have different histories and life experiences, who come from different walks of life, and who possess different spheres of knowledge is far more enriching.

Had we separated into multigenerational teams, the chances of each time answering more questions correctly would’ve grown exponentially.

And had each of us come into the game knowing more about the other generations—their pop culture references, headlines from their formative years, movies/music/dances from their day—our chances of success could’ve also improved.

The term “siloed” is frequently used to describe workplace culture, but it seems to me it could also aptly describe how many of us live our lives.

Yes, families are inherently multigenerational—but how much time do we spend REALLY exploring both the commonalities AND the differences between those generations?

How many of us intentionally seek to cultivate relationships with people who are younger or older than we are—or facilitate the cultivation of those relationships between others?

How might we—as individuals—benefit if we did? What impact might it have on a global or systemic level?

Would it help close the generational divides that exist? Would it help end ageism?

In my opinion, it would.

So the next time you find yourself in a multigenerational group, maybe make it a point to spend some quality time with those younger and older than you are. Try to learn a little about what they’re “into.” Find what you might have in common with them—and share it.

And who knows? Not only might you gain a better understanding of each other, you might help #endageism while you’re at it.