by Lydeisha Gossett
If you were born between 1901 and 2025, you belong to one of the seven generations alive today. In my family, the oldest living members are Boomers. I belong to Generation X. My oldest child is a Millennial, followed by three in Generation Z. The youngest generation is Generation Alpha, which includes two of my granddaughters. After attending the Bridging-the-Gap workshop, I had an open conversation with my children about their perception of Toastmasters. We identified a gap, but how do we bridge it?
Claryce Cook presented a Club Success Workshop in which she discussed how to engage and set the tone by asking how many attendees were under 30. Only one hand went up, highlighting another gap. She suggested replacing “public speaking and leadership” with “growing your influence.” Brian emphasized the importance of breaking down actions into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid choice paralysis. Andrea explained the circular nature of learning and the importance of transferring knowledge. Janell highlighted how technology can facilitate learning and connection with younger generations, allowing them to showcase their strengths. I also learned the value of showing empathy over frustration, practicing patience over dismissal, and guiding rather than directing.
Bridging the gap requires intentional inclusivity. We can start by updating our language, letting go of old perspectives, and replacing frustration with empathy. This journey begins within our families, including our Toastmasters family. We must adapt where necessary and continue to transfer knowledge. We know better; now, let’s do better.
