Episode: 293

Episode Title: The Danger of Dismissing

To connect with young people, we have to validate their circumstances and their story. What does that mean? Let’s talk about it, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 293 show:

You’re now in The Perna Syndicate—I’m glad you’re here! As I talk to educators, parents, and employers across the country, I find that a lot of people are struggling to connect with Generation Z in particular. There can be a million reasons for this, but one of them is what I call the danger of dismissing. 

Gen Z wants to feel respected and validated. Everyone has a story, a set of circumstances that have helped shape them into the person they are. But sometimes there can be a significant rift between generations when it comes to respecting and validating one another’s perspective. 

Those of us in older generations need to take the lead here. We can’t expect young people to see our point of view if we never make the effort to see theirs. The golden rule, treating others the way we want to be treated, totally applies here. 

Validating a young person’s story doesn’t mean you have to coddle them or even agree with them. You decide what you do with the information they give you, but you must validate it by saying two simple words: I understand. They have to feel it. This acknowledges its importance and recognizes their right to see things as they do. They walk away feeling respected.  

This applies in both the classroom and the home. If we dismiss their story, we become disconnected and that disconnection is very hard to overcome. Dismissing is one of the fastest ways to destroy any rapport we hoped to build. 

So get good at listening, showing respect, and saying two simple words: I understand. It will help you create that crucial connection. 

Tomorrow: America is now facing the biggest talent shortage on record. So where are all the workers? Let’s talk about it on tomorrow’s episode of The Perna Syndicate. See you then!