Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Entirely Different Ideas Of What Makes Someone Impressive
Antoni Shkraba | Pexels Every generation has their own thoughts on what makes a person remarkable.
Because baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z all grew up in different worlds, what's impressive to some may not be to others. But each has a unique idea of the traits that make a person unforgettable.
Each generation has completely different ideas of what makes a person impressive:
Boomers find hardworking people impressive
Boomers witnessed a number of tragedies in their lifetime, including the Korean and Vietnam wars, which many ended up fighting in. National conflicts and unrest in the world were common in their youth.
But these experiences shaped how they view hard work, seeing it as a basic tool for stability. They find it impressive when people put their all into something, especially at work and at home.
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Due to the political landscape of their youth, they hold onto some core values like reaching your full potential and leaving a legacy.
To them, a hard worker is everything. So, if they see someone as lazy or who won't apply themselves, they're completely unmoved by it.
Gen X thinks adaptability and problem-solving skills are extraordinary
Independent Gen Xers were used to being on their own, and quickly adapted. Known as latchkey kids, they did everything themselves, learning to solve their own problems and being resourceful.
This generation was "keen on maintaining work-life balance, perhaps due to witnessing the demands of their parents' work and subsequent absence from family life," as history writer Amy McKenna explained.
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Due to their upbringing, they're not easily impressed, though they do value people who are financially independent and can adapt to change easily.
When people can come into new situations and acclimate right away, it blows them away. Because of the way they were raised, seeing these qualities in others is powerful.
Millennials are blown away by people who communicate clearly
Millennials grew up in a time both before and after internet and computers were mainstream. They were able to explore new ways to connect with others, and formed connections because of their ability to communicate.
Because of that, they find a person impressive when they clearly communicate their wants and needs, as well as their own unique personality.
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Millennials don't usually enjoy phone calls, though they do enjoy texting and in-person communication. Combined, they have an understanding of their range of communication styles.
To them, the most important thing that makes someone remarkable is the way they connect. They're well aware of how technology has stunted many people's abilities to make lasting connections, so anyone who does so effortlessly is impressive.
Gen Z sees authenticity and originality as quite powerful
In this day and age, social media is the norm for Gen Z. Everywhere you go, someone has a phone in their hand.
While that means people can express themselves in all sorts of ways, as Gen Zers use social media the most out of all the other generations, these young people aren't impressed by people who act fake online.
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Gen Zers admire some influencers who are popular, but it's not all about likes and follows. They're also able to see through someone's inauthentic actions and the persona they portray online.
They want to be around people who are raw and real, not pretending to get more clout. Because in a world where anyone can post themselves online and twist the narrative, Gen Zers don't find that extraordinary at all. They find it boring.
Allison Peterson is a writer who focuses on relationships, psychology, and self-help.
