The Gift of Intergenerational Relationships

Last week, I had the pleasure of helping my daughter and her writing partner bring to fruition a project they’ve been working on for more than five years:

The pilot of a TV show they created during the earliest days of the pandemic.

The cast and crew for this pilot were one of the most diverse groups of people I’ve ever worked with: men and women, gay and straight, Black, white, Hispanic, Italian, French, and Canadian, with ages ranging from 18 to 69.

It. Was. AWESOME.

The vast majority of these people had never met in person before—much less worked together.

But shooting a television show is a team sport. Everyone plays a specific position. Expectations are made clear ahead of time. Every day begins with a game plan that EVERYONE is given in advance. And somehow, like clockwork, the players all begin to gel as though they’d been working together their entire lives.

In all my years of producing for radio, television, and video, this has ALWAYS been the case—and it has never ceased to amaze me.

There’s something particularly rewarding about being a part of a high-functioning team—especially one that’s so diverse.

My friend and colleague, Janine Vanderburg, talks a lot about the benefits of intergenerational teams in the workplace.

They’re more creative. More productive. And more profitable.

And last week, I got to see both the How and the Why of it all—firsthand.

The thing is it’s not actually about age (or gender or color or nationality or ethnicity or sexual orientation, for that matter).

It’s about Knowledge. Talent. Skill. Experience. Work ethic. Trust. And Respect.

It’s about understanding the task at hand. Having the resources necessary to be successful. And having the willingness to collaborate, problem-solve, and change the plan—on the fly.

So many people are territorial about their work. “This is MY job.” “This is MY responsibility.” “I have the answer.”

But when they let go of the reins. When they open themselves up to other points of view. When they allow themselves to truly LISTEN . . .

THAT’S when the MAGIC HAPPENS.

It’s energizing. It’s exhilarating. It’s inspiring.

Last week, I walked 86,125 steps—the equivalent of 35.37 miles—and climbed 150 floors. And had the time of my life.

Seems to me that intergenerational relationships aren’t just good for business—or businesses.

They’re good for everyone involved.