Last week I was invited to join a group of coaches on a panel to introduce coaching to Gen Zs from ALX. It’s an offshoot of the African Leadership University (ALU). I understood it to be like a virtual college offering short courses on tech eg data analytics, software programming and the like. The event was a collaboration between my local ICF Kenya chapter and ALX. It feels good to give back, especially in an area I’m passionate about i.e. coaching.
With Kenya’s recent Gen Z revolution, I was curious to immerse myself in their world to see life through their lenses. Kenya is largely a youthful population with an average age of 19. It’s a no-brainer that if we are to do anything worthwhile to impact our nation, we must involve them. And if we don’t, we will likely fail, loosely translated anguka nayo.
My morning devotion in the week enhanced this view. The Good Book even defends our Gen Zs. It has treasures for all people to mine, irrespective of age, gender, colour or affiliation of whatever kind. 1 Timothy 4: 12 says, “And don’t let anyone put you down because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and purity” I’m sure our young people have often felt put down by we the older folks.
That came out at the Alx event as I interacted with those brilliant minds. Many are at crossroads because of decisions their parents made for them. Though that’s not new. I wanted to study hotel management after high school but my dad refused. His reason? He can’t pay that much college fees for me to be a waiter. Well, that’s what he took hotel management to mean back then. I forgive you Mzee Hehe
Gen Zs often have mind-blowing ideas and as much as we think they don’t care about our opinions, they do. I got the feeling they desire our guidance but struggle to show their need or ask for it for fear of judgment or being misunderstood. Without being too hard on their parents (us), we’ve also never practised how to parent Gen Zs or even alphas. We are learning on the job so slack should be cut both ways. Perhaps the goal should be to try and keep those communication lines open. It’s our perceptions of each other and maybe a little bit of being stuck in our ways that clogs communication lines.
A recent incident with my teenage baby shark played out that scenario. We were on our way to school when she asked if they could be dropped in their grandma’s car instead of their granddad’s double cab pickup. That’s because I was going to be away from home for a few days. I responded in a curt manner thinking that she didn’t appreciate the efforts I was putting in to ensure they got to school irrespective of what vehicle dropped them. She just kept quiet and moved on. I felt guilty because of my reaction. I was inside my mind so much that I had no space to hear her. I apologized the next day and I hope that keeps the door open for future chats. It’s terrible when our kids close the door on us. Often they are not keeping us out, they are protecting themselves from us. Not a good thing.
The lesson from the Good Book in 1 Timothy was to both the young and the not-so-young folks. To our Gen Zs, Sir God has put you here for a purpose for such a time as now. He desires to use your passion, drive, vision, energy and ideas to make this world a better place. Your vantage point, which we older folks find different is a great thing. May we be humble and open enough to learn from you.
To folks my age and older, you are also here for a reason. We have grit, wisdom, leadership, life experience and a few scars from life. We have a viewpoint that can only come with miaka (many years) and that’s required to make the world a better place for everyone too. We are never too old or too young to leave a mark. We are just our age and that has an assignment tied to it that’s complimentary and not competing with other age groups.
We can all set an example in the way we live, talk and act irrespective of our age. My devotion explained that the new generation is fighting to be the future and that’s where our nation finds itself currently. They are tired of being the leaders of tomorrow as we were told growing up. The previous generation is fighting not to be that past. That’s why we see a lot of recycled old folks being appointed to new roles. Quite boring and uninspiring. Our young people crave respect because it releases their strengths. We need to empower them without belittling their abilities. What the Good Book describes as despising their youth.
When change comes from the top it is renewal. When change comes from the bottom it is revolution. Kenya (and Africa) needs renewal. Could the revolution we are facing stem from the older generation resisting the past? If only leaders holding on past their sell-by date could realise there is an even more exciting future awaiting them. One of using their wisdom and experience to guide the younger generation. There is an urgent need for some transition coaching, especially at the top. Chip Conley even gave us a title that our Gen Zs will admire, the modern elder. I would like to be described like that. Wouldn’t you my midlife peers?
Maybe we should try and cultivate the habit of doing morning devotions. With such insights, we are bound to get along better.
Thank you Lucas for always fresh, insightful messages every week. Can’t agree more. And quoting the great American Martin Luther King Jr “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
Lovely article, Lucas
May I embrace being a modern elder. Your posts resonate with my life a lot. I’ve just come from a church meeting where we were being encouraged to mentor a young person. your articles are always so timely. God bless you my brother.