4 ways to be more interesting to younger adults

Imagine a 68- year-old with a white beard, who can hardly speak fluent English to be a youth icon.

Imagine a 68- year-old, with competitors in the age bracket of 35 and 40 years, who are fluent in English, are technologically savvy, and yet the 68- year-old is famous amongst the youth.

What kind of secret does he hold? What makes him hit the jackpot?

Narendra Modi, at the age of 68 captures the attention of Indian youth like a badass. According to reports, he remains one of the most popular leaders amongst India’s generation next.

What makes him so popular?

What makes him get over the generation gap and make a lasting impression with the youth? What makes him unbelievably popular with people half his age? You cannot deny the privilege he holds of growing popularity.

At this point, I should add that this post is neither politically inclined nor I’m a Modi fan. I’m purely talking about it from how the man has made a connection with the youth across the country despite his age, and how you can too.

In times of co-working, co-eating and co-sharing

We live in the magical times of ‘shared economy’, where the concept of a shared economy constantly grows and evolves. You have co –working spaces, co-living spaces, etc, then why are we missing out on shared wisdom?

We should be exposed to shared wisdom. We should have workspaces built on the concept of shared skills that transcends borders, genders, and generations.

The number of individuals in the senior adult category as well as in the generation next category is skyrocketing. It only makes sense then and is extremely advantageous to have a mutual mentorship and friendship across generations.

It does not matter if you have a young boss or a young subordinate, what matters is how you support each other and how much authentic value are you adding and getting from each other. It’s time to create an excellent synergy between different generations; because at the end of the day, continuous learning will make you highly effective and keep you happy.

The problems related to a generation gap are subtle, ambiguous and can overwhelm you. But you can address them if you have an open mind.

So keep your minds and this article open, to read about how you can bridge the generation gap

Step 1: Expect your younger colleagues to be impatient with you

Young people are usually jittery, fast and ambitious. They want things to move at a faster pace and get hesitant if they see a slowdown. This makes them impatient.

Moreover, in times when people have more on their plate in terms of work, they are stressed, want to finish tasks quickly and leave.

So their behavior may come across as condescending, unresponsive or uninterested, but they are just vulnerable. Remember, a calm temperament doesn’t come naturally to all, it comes with experience.

 

Action Step

• Take your time, have humility, and make an honest confession with your younger colleague. Tell them honestly about your problems and challenges, emphasize on how both of you together can solve the problem of the slow pace and impatience.
• Guarantee them you don’t want this to affect the work, relationship and the environment and will back off when they are busy, but will delightedly wait for them till they are free to interact with you.

 

Step 2: Understand their insecurities 

It’s possible that your colleague may feel doubtful and insecure in your presence. They may think of you as a hindrance to their career goals because of your intelligence, experience, and skills.

They may distrust you. The distance your younger colleague may keep from you could be because of fear and not respect.

There is a high level of pressure to prove oneself and high stress in the workplace. In such a scenario don’t be disheartened, disappointed or aggressive.

Action Step

• Understand their concerns, talk it out and make the pitch secure for both of you.
• If you happen to report to a younger boss, make it clear by actions and words that you respect the authority of the boss and are supportive.
• Don’t always mention about how things used to happen in your time. Instead, provide clarity on how you will align with their goals to create a future.  
• Portray your confidence, but always offer your advice as a suggestion, and only if they are comfortable with it. This strategic way will showcase you as a team player and your team will be more at ease with you and will see you in bright light.

 

Step 3: Stay curious and understand new technology

When Modi couldn’t get his message across to people through the traditional communication channels, he started the use of social media and that created magic for him.

As per reports, he has pioneered the use of technology in a lot of places. He mastered the use of digital media even when his younger competitors used traditional channels.

Modi’s popularity with youth increased because he used technology to his advantage, right from digital medium for promotions to virtual reality and plans to implement artificial intelligence too.

He not only abides by the rules of his generation but is getting empowered by following the rules of the current generation. He stays relevant to the current generation by the adoption of ideologies relevant to them.

Action Step

• Stay curious, do research and read about technology on blogs, in magazines, in newspaper articles, and ask your family members, etc.
• If you are unaware of the terms I have used here, I would request you to Google them and read, as this will take you one step closer to the goal of getting over the generation gap. Your efforts will never fail and will give you risk-free returns.

 

Step 4:  Don't insult their lingo, embrace it.

Don’t get annoyed or ridicule the lingo that your younger colleague may use. Each generation has its strange collection of terms, slang, and lingo. You have to accept the current lingo.

The way a person speaks defines them and makes them unique and you should not insult them.

Action Step

• Understand your young friends and their lingo (remember to be curious, it helps everywhere). 
• Use some of their lingo in a jubilant way when you talk to them, and your stunt will be a total hit with your younger colleagues.

 

Bonus

As a bonus piece, I will share with you some common and famous slang that the younger generation uses. Be updated with these, and if you are confident, use them in your conversation to win over your younger friends.

1. Cray  - crazy

What does it mean & how to use it:  Cray means crazy.

“My work is very hectic. It’s cray.”

 

2. Squad goals

What does it mean & how to use it: This term describes the kind of behavior that friend groups aspire to. It describes something or something that you'd like to have one day.

When you watch an episode of the show Friends and tell your group of friends:

“Monica, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey are "Squad goals."

 

3. BAE: Babe / Before Anyone Else

What does it mean & how to use it:  it’s used as a term of endearment. It’s an acronym for “before anyone else” or a short of “babe”.

People may call their boyfriends, girlfriends, closest friends as BAE.

 

4. DM: Direct Message

What does it mean & how to use it:  It’s usually used in reference to social media sites like Twitter or Instagram. Instead of posting it in public forum, people send direct (private messages) where only the recipient can read it. It’s especially useful to share information you don’t want to post in public, like your phone number or address. “DM” has slowly become the default way to tell someone to message you privately

“DM me your contact number please!”

 

5. Facepalm: “You Can’t Be That Dumb”

What does it mean & how to use it: It can be used to convey dismay, disappointment, ridicule, or disapproval. When someone does something stupid; the action is usually your palm hits your own face or forehead. That entire series of action is now reduced to a single word: facepalm

 

6. Basic

What does it mean & how to use it:

Basic describes something (or someone) extremely mainstream. Eg:  common things like CCD coffee, TV serials etc.

 

7. ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

What does it mean & how to use it:   ICYMI, an acronym describes a precaution when you aren’t sure if other people already know about something, or when you are repeat something you have said before. It’s a way of saying, “You might have already seen this, but if not, here you go.”It’s usually used in messages or e-mails.

 

8. YOLO: You Only Live Once

What does it mean & how to use it:  The term means you live only once. It is used in reference to live life to the fullest, even if there is an inherent risk.

“Let’s go bungee jumping, after all, YOLO”.

 

9. Slay

What does it mean & how to use it: To slay means to kill something, but in a good way.

Your work interview went really well - You slayed it.

You are wearing something amazing? You're slaying!

 

10. AF - as f*ck

What does it mean & how to use it: It’s usually used to emphasize a statement. AF stands for "as f*ck"

When you are caught up in work and cannot leave - “I’m busy AF.”

 

11.Extra

What does it mean & how to use it: Extra in a slang sense usually translates to over the top. The key difference is that it’s got a negative connotation, as in trying too hard or doing too much.

 

12. FOMO & JOMO – Fear of missing out and Joy of missing out

What does it mean & how to use it: FOMO describes when you have an anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, and you are unable to attend it. Whereas term JOMO  is opposite of FOMO and describes as joy of missing out – it refers to the gratifying feeling you get when you are not out hanging out in a social group and spend time doing exactly what you most want to do.

 

13. Lit

What does it mean & how to use it: "Lit" can mean cool, exciting or excellent.

“The party was LIT.”

 

14. Woke

What does it mean & how to use it:  Woke usually means knowledgeable, sympathetic, and aware, especially when it comes to contentious debates around race and gender.

“I stay woke by reading newspaper”

 

15. Yass

What does it mean & how to use it: This one's pretty simple: It simply means "yes!" but with more enthusiasm.

“He talks our language of growth targets and delivery which addresses the youth narrative.” Said a youth (this response is taken from a survey that a magazine had conducted). That’s why Modi enjoys the popularity with the youth.  Similarly, you should say Yaas to overcome the generation gap and be woke, be lit AF, slay it with their vocab and turn them cray about you.

In case you have questions or ideas – just DM me.

If you have come across any funny lingo while talking to your younger friends, do share them with us here in the comments section below.