A New Diversity

Joanne Lockwood is joined by Neerja Singh to explore “a new diversity”: generational diversity, and why it creates distinctive tensions in today’s workplaces and wider society. They discuss how rapid technological change, unfiltered online information, and shifting expectations of authority are widening the gap between age groups, creating different definitions of work, purpose, success, and even what good leadership looks like.

Neerja shares personal catalysts that led her to study generational difference more deeply, including the impact of social media habits and a family experience of depression. Together they examine how younger generations can feel overwhelmed, anxious, and angry about the state of the world, and how those pressures show up in communication, trust, and relationships.

The conversation focuses on what leaders, managers, and organisations can do: moving from command-and-control to coaching, building bridges rather than walls, and designing more intentional approaches to age-diverse teams. They also explore practical approaches such as reverse mentoring, the need to normalise age diversity, and why creating connection across generations is essential for healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces.