On a recent and first-time trip to Ireland in September, I found myself immersed in not only a breathtaking, ancient landscape with vibrant, small villages, but also into the heart of a culture steeped in history and resilience. It is a social country, where the minute you sit down in a pub, you’re exchanging life stories with the local beside you, or on the road, a kind countryside dweller is pointing you in the direction of the cottage you’re staying in for the night. I had a general understanding of the history of the country prior to visiting, being that my family’s lineage is largely Irish, and it wasn’t that far back that my father’s grandfather was immigrating to the U.S. as an infant during the Great Famine (well, it wasn’t exclusively a “famine,” but more so Britain’s exploitation of the Irish farmers and their agriculture, leaving the people there to starve).

So, as I people-watched and interacted with the Irish folks across the island, it frequently became evident that their deep-rooted experiences of oppressive colonialism from a dark past under the British Empire forged a remarkable sense of cultural preservation and cross-generational solidarity. This collective memory of struggle transcends generations, as Gen X and Baby Boomer parents of Millennials and Gen Zers experienced The Troubles, and the grandparents of Baby Boomers, like my dad, were alive to witness Ireland gain independence in 1921. This resistance has not only shaped their national identity but also nurtured a strong empathy and steadfast support for many other countries facing similar injustices, and to name one, Palestine – in the farthest corners of Ireland a Palestinian flag could often be spotted hanging in the window of a remote pub off the beaten path. The narratives I heard were not just stories of the past; they were alive and resonant, connecting generations in a shared commitment to justice and dignity.

I saw this intergenerational bond among the Irish people as a testament to the power of solidarity. It was inspiring to witness how older generations actively engaged with the younger ones, sharing wisdom and fostering a sense of responsibility toward their cultural heritage and global issues. Sixty-year-olds played traditional Irish music with 20-somethings in the pubs, college students in Dublin held anti-imperialist banners, and an elderly woman wore a “Grannies for Palestine” t-shirt in the streets of Killarney. This dynamic was palpable in their communities, where young activists absorbed and traded experiences with their elders, learning not only about the struggles faced but also about victories achieved through unity. It made me reflect on the importance of maintaining such connections within our own communities and organizations back in the states, and within the workplace.

In our increasingly diverse and multigenerational workforce, we’ve seen how fostering solidarity leads to significant benefits. When teams bring together individuals from various age groups, each with unique lived experiences and perspectives, the result can be a multifaceted composition of ideas and solutions. I notice this within our own team meetings when engaging differing generational viewpoints with open curiosity, such as time orientation, presenting professionally, or social priorities. It’s not uncommon for a team member to propose to the group at large:

“This is my perspective based on my lived experience/generation, how does this resonate or differ for you?”…

So many fruitful and importantly challenging conversations have come from these moments, and it makes me reflect on how shared knowledge can be one of the most valuable ways to ensure a productive team dynamic. And, it allows us to directly apply these ideas to the ways in which we then approach and interact with projects and clients, as well.

Cross-generational collaboration encourages empathy and an openness to understand, ultimately leading to more innovative strategies to problem-solving. By valuing the contributions of each generation, organizations can create a more inclusive environment that empowers all members, resulting in greater, long-term impact both within the workplace and the communities they serve.

 As I left Ireland, I carried with me not just memories of its beauty and coziness, but also a more complex appreciation for the transformative power of solidarity across generations. The experience reinforced my belief that creating such connections can drive meaningful change, whether in a small community or within the broader global landscape. By embracing and promoting cross-generational collaboration, we can build stronger teams that are not only equipped to tackle challenges but are also deeply connected to the mission of seeking equity and justice in an ever-evolving world.

Signing off with the words of Sinéad O’Connor’s “Famine” ~