When Good Intentions Get Misread: Why Generational Fluency Matters 

Have you ever said something in a meeting and suddenly felt the air shift, like you had triggered tension you did not even mean? I have been there. 

Once, I gave what I thought was simple feedback to a group of young analysts. Nothing dramatic, just notes on revisions. But the reaction was intense: stiff shoulders, heavy silence, a sense that my comments hit way deeper than I intended. 

Another time, I suggested tweaking a process an older colleague had put in place years ago. The response Immediate defensiveness. It was not about the process anymore. It was about pride, ownership, and the feeling that I was dismissing their hard earned experience. 

As I was going through the Project Alphabet data and recordings, I realized these were not isolated moments. I was hearing story after story of the same dynamic, just from the other side of the fence. The younger colleague was not actually closed to feedback. What stung was the way it was delivered, which made them feel their effort was not valued. The older colleague was not against change. What they resisted was the feeling that their experience and past contributions were being brushed aside. 

That is when it hit me. We all want the same things at work. Respect, trust, growth, contribution. But because we come at it from different perspectives, the wires often get crossed. That is where miscommunication, misalignment, and even mistrust can creep in. 

And this is why Generational Fluency matters. It is about understanding the context each generation brings, appreciating those perspectives, and then tapping into each other’s strengths. When you do that, you avoid unnecessary miscommunication, strengthen relationships, and get to better outcomes at work. 

From the research, here are a few easy (or not so easy depending on your POV!) to start building generational fluency at work. 

Listen for intent, not just words. Pause before reacting. Ask, “What did they really mean?” It shifts conversations from conflict to curiosity. 

Respect the past, invite the future. Show appreciation for what has worked, then create space for new ideas. It honors both legacy and innovation. 

Clarity is CRUCIAL. Say out loud the assumptions, expectations, and decision rules that often go unsaid. Don’t assume that they are a given just because you know it. Clarity prevents misreads. 

Over the next few weeks my colleagues and I will share more from Project Alphabet, our latest study on Filipino generations. Our hope is that with this information, we can begin to build Generational Fluency in our teams so we can avoid misreads, value each other’s strengths, and deliver better work together. 

Ready to take a deeper dive into Project Alphabet? Explore more insights on Generational Fluency and how it can transform your workplace—visit our website: