9 ways Boomers expect respect that Gen Z thinks need to be earned not given - Silicon Canals

"Picture this: A 65-year-old manager walks into a meeting expecting immediate deference from the 23-year-old new hire. Meanwhile, that new hire is wondering why they should automatically defer to someone just because they've been around longer. This scene plays out in offices everywhere, highlighting one of the biggest generational divides in today's workplace. After interviewing over 200 people about workplace dynamics, I've noticed a pattern that keeps coming up: what Boomers see as basic courtesy, Gen Z often views as unearned privilege."

"The clash isn't just about manners or tradition. It's about fundamentally different worldviews on what respect means and how it should flow between people. One generation grew up in hierarchical structures where age and position automatically commanded respect. The other came of age questioning every institution and watching supposed experts fail spectacularly during economic crashes and global crises. Both sides have valid points, but understanding these differences might be the key to bridging what feels like an ever-widening gap."

"My father worked in sales management for thirty years, and I still remember him correcting me when I called his boss by his first name at a company picnic. "That's Mr. Davidson to you," he whispered urgently. The man had never asked me to call him anything formal, but in my dad's world, you defaulted to titles until explicitly told otherwise. This expectation persists among many Boomers who view titles as markers of achievement and professional courtesy. They worked hard for their degrees and positions, and the formal acknowledgment feels like recognition of that journey."

A 65-year-old manager expects automatic deference while a 23-year-old new hire questions default respect based solely on age or tenure. Interviews with over 200 people reveal recurring friction where Boomers view formal titles and default courtesy as earned recognition. Gen Z sees default deference as unearned privilege after observing institutions and titled figures fail during crises. The conflict reflects differing worldviews about how respect should be allocated—hierarchical achievement versus skeptical merit. Both perspectives contain valid concerns. Recognizing these differences can help bridge the workplace generational divide and improve professional interactions.

Read at Silicon Canals