Alastair Greener Generationally Speaking

Alastair Greener
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Engaging conversations around navigating generational communication

  1. 17h ago

    Writing in the Age of AI: Why Human Storytelling Matters More Than Ever

    Alastair sits down with Robbie Westacott, a millennial writer, marketing consultant, and founder of Seaforth Creative Group, who has spent his career helping events and media companies get more from their content, communities, and data. A master's graduate in creative writing and a lifelong storyteller, Robbie is currently ghostwriting a business book, crafting his own fiction, and building an online global community for fiction writers. In this episode, Robbie and Alastair explore the changing relationship between writing and AI, making an impassioned case for why outsourcing your writing to a machine before you have developed the skill yourself is one of the most damaging professional shortcuts a young person can take. They also dig into the fascinating generational differences in how and why people write, from Boomers finally telling their life stories to Gen Z boldly publishing before they are 25, and the power of genuine human authenticity in a world increasingly saturated with AI-generated content. Recorded at Granary Studios and produced by James Jones. Robbie Westacott Takeaways: Writing is a foundational skill applicable across every profession — outsourcing it to AI before mastering it yourself will stunt your development in ways that compound over timeAI-generated content is becoming a commodity; work that carries authentic human voice, effort, and craft will be increasingly valuable as a resultGen Z digital natives entering marketing may be more skilled in the tools than the people hiring them — a power dynamic shift every manager needs to be aware ofDifferent generations approach writing differently: Boomers often arrive at writing later with a life story to tell; Gen Z publishes boldly and early, often alongside multiple other career pursuitsFor fiction: write the story you genuinely want to tell and fall in love with the process — chasing fame or money makes the craft miserableFor business writing: empathy and audience-centricity are everything — tailor your message to who you are trying to reach and whyCommunity accelerates creative growth: shared accountability with fellow writers, across all age groups, creates consistency that solo practice rarely sustainsRobbie Westacott Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-westacott-16aa8b54/ Substack: https://substack.com/@robbiewestacott Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  2. Jul 7

    HR in 2026: Culture, Communication and the Generation Gap

    Alastair welcomes Farzana Parkar, an HR consultant at face2face HR and who describes herself as an Xennial with 15 years’ experience in HR.  In this episode, Farzana and Alastair explore what working in HR really looks like in 2026, from Gen Z’s reluctance to “play the game” and the importance of robust onboarding, to the disconnect between what companies promise during recruitment and what employees actually experience when they arrive.  As the first HR guest on the podcast, Farzana works with businesses of all shapes and sizes, helping them navigate the increasingly complex world of people management, workplace culture and employment law. The discussion also looks at why culture must start at the top, how poor management drives disengagement, why communication needs to be personal and omnichannel. Farzana also talks about how AI may be changing recruitment, while making the human touch more important than ever. Farzana Parkar Takeaways: Generational conflict often comes not from personality clashes, but from different assumptions about office presence, response times, communication and what respect looks likeGood onboarding matters more than ever: younger employees often expect organisations to be explicit about how things work rather than relying on unspoken rules and subtextCulture cannot be delegated to HR — leaders must “walk the talk” and model the behaviour and values they expect from everyone elseEmployee engagement should be a continuous conversation, not a performative annual survey; regular touchpoints help organisations spot issues before people quietly disengageDon’t confuse different with wrong: a preference for WhatsApp, voice notes or another communication channel is not laziness — it is simply a different communication styleJob applicants should research the organisation and personalise their applications rather than relying too heavily on AI; the human voice is what helps people stand outHR has evolved from an administrative function into a strategic business partner, but however much technology changes the workplace, the human element remains irreplaceable Farzana Parkar Links http://www.linkedin.com/in/fparkarhr  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555821285235 Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  3. Jun 23

    The Art of Speaking Up: A Gen Z's Journey From Shy to Stage

    Alastair sits down with Danny Wang, a 23-year-old Gen Z IT sales professional who transformed himself from a shy, introverted teenager into a national-level public speaking champion in under a year. Danny's story is a compelling one. After leaving school without qualifications and working two jobs, he made a deliberate decision to reinvent himself through communication, networking, and public speaking, and he hasn't looked back since. Now the President of Reading Speakers (a Toastmasters club), a public speaking mentor, and a driven IT sales professional closing deals and earning company-wide recognition, Danny is living proof that Gen Z can, and does in his case, break every stereotype. In this episode, he shares frank insights on generational bias in sales, why communication skills are the ultimate career superpower, and what it really takes to stand out in a crowded job market. Danny Wang Takeaways: Communication is the skill that flows into every corner of life from confidence and personal brand to sales and relationshipsSelf-respect is the foundation of growth. Earning it through hard work and doing difficult things changes everythingGen Z can overcome the stereotype of poor communication, and those who do will have a massive competitive edgeProactive onboarding wins. Take accountability for your own learning rather than waiting for the organisation to hand you answersGenerational bias in sales is real but manageable if you let your results do the talkingJoining a speaking club like Toastmasters is one of the most affordable, high-return investments a young professional can makeThe advice to parents is to push your children out of their comfort zone early. New people, new experiences and new challenges build the resilience and confidence that school alone cannotDanny Wang Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannywang-sales/?skipRedirect=truehttps://eatcogni.com/ Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  4. Jun 9

    Cultural Intelligence Across Generations: How to Lead Across the Divide

    Alastair welcomes Victoria Rennoldson, a multi-award-winning global leadership coach, international speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host specialising in strategic communication and cultural intelligence. A cusp Millennial who began her career at Boots before founding her own business, Victoria now works with leaders and organisations worldwide, helping them navigate the communication challenges that arise when different generations, nationalities, and organisational cultures collide. In this episode, Victoria and Alastair explore what today's multigenerational boardrooms are really grappling with, from the rise of younger leaders in their mid-30s, to the frustration of Gen Z employees who feel flexibility is applied unfairly, to the question of what actually gets people back into the office (hint: it's not pizza Fridays or beanbags). Victoria introduces her Cultural Intelligence framework, explains why curiosity is the essential starting point for any cross-generational relationship, and shares what vulnerable, human leadership truly looks like in practice. Victoria Rennoldson Takeaways: Cultural intelligence (CQ) starts with curiosity — genuinely wanting to understand someone's perspective before drawing conclusions about their generation, culture, or valuesDon't confuse generational labels with individual identity: see the person in front of you, not just the stereotypeYounger generations expect their leaders to show a human side — vulnerability, including simply saying 'I don't know, but we'll find out together', builds far more trust than projecting certaintyHybrid working has become the primary generational flashpoint: flexibility must be applied equitably or it becomes a source of deep resentmentWhat genuinely brings people together in the office is authentic cultural exchange (e.g., bring-a-cultural-dish events) — not surface-level perksLeadership styles are shifting rapidly: organisations must equip managers to lead in flatter, more transparent, psychologically safe ways, not just promote those who did well under the old modelAdvising young people on careers: focus on passion and transferable skills — the specific jobs that will exist in 10 years are impossible to predictVictoria Rennoldson Links https://culturecuppa.com/bookhttps://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldsonhttps://culturecuppa.com/podcast/ Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  5. May 26

    School Superhead on Why Today’s Students Question More

    Former school “superhead” Nick Bowen reflects on 20 years leading large secondary schools and turning around failing institutions. Nick explores how education has evolved, from low accountability to data-driven performance management and why today’s students demand earned respect rather than automatic authority. They discuss generational shifts in parenting, rising parental accountability pressures, and what business leaders can learn from schools about belonging, empowerment and accountability. 5 Highlights The dramatic rise of accountability in educationHow modern students require relational authority, not positional authorityThe growing challenge of parental entitlementBuilding belonging in newly merged school communitiesThe balance between empowerment and accountabilityNick Bowen Takeaways: Belonging is the foundation of performanceAccountability and empowerment must go hand in handGenerational differences in schools mirror those in workplacesLeaders must actively understand new generations entering their institutionsLegacy leadership means passing on wisdom, not clinging to authorityNick Bowen Links www.nickbowen.co.uk  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xmRCFprg7k https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bowen-b40959260/ Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  6. May 12

    Millennials, Sport, and the Sandwich Generation

    Alastair is joined by International archer and Civic Engagement Manager Lizzy Rees who reflects on growing up in a household of five millennials, competing at elite level sport, and working across generations at university. Lizzy shares insights on how sport funding evolved post-Lottery investment, how Gen Z students engage differently, and why millennials are navigating delayed milestones while becoming the dominant workplace generation. With Alastair she explores communication shifts, values-driven students, and how sport can bridge generational divides. Highlights include: Growing up in a highly structured millennial householdThe transformation of UK sport funding and athlete wellbeingWhy Gen Z won’t show up just for free pizzaThe realities of hybrid communication across generationsMillennials approaching “sandwich generation” responsibilitiesLizzy Rees Takeaways: Structure builds discipline — but freedom builds resilienceGen Z are highly values-driven and boundary-awareUniversities must adapt communication methods constantlySport’s social value now rivals its competitive valueCross-generational understanding requires stepping outside comfort zonesLizzy Rees Links Lizzy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-rees/ Lizzy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_does_archery/ Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  7. Apr 28

    Gen Z, Digital Wellbeing and Entering the Workplace

    21-year-old mental health and digital wellbeing campaigner Paddy Crump shares what it’s really like entering the workplace as Gen Z. From struggling with OCD and school anxiety to campaigning in Parliament as Campaigns Director at Flip Gen, Paddy offers a candid insight into youth mental health, social media regulation, and intergenerational misunderstanding. With Alastair he explores onboarding challenges, digital safety policy, and why simply banning smartphones won’t solve complex cultural issues. Entering the workplace straight from school and feeling infantilisedThe invisible rules of office culture and onboarding gapsWhy Flip Gen opposes both the status quo and blanket bansThe mental health impact of algorithm-driven platformsUsing youth as both credibility challenge and networking advantagePaddy Crump Takeaways: Workplace onboarding must address cultural norms, not just fire exitsDigital wellbeing needs education and design reform, not just bansParents require digital literacy supportGen Z’s openness about mental health is a strengthBridging generations starts with conversation, not comparisonPaddy Crump Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddy-crump https://www.instagram.com/flippgen https://www.instagram.com/paddy.crump/ https://www.flippgen.com/ Generationally Speaking Links: Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

  8. Apr 14

    Gen X Raising Gen Z: Anxiety, Schools and Smartphones

    In this episode Emma Clark joins Alastair live from Australia to explore rising anxiety inschools, generational differences in parenting, and the reality behind Australia’s under-16social media ban.A former English teacher and now co-founder of Anxiety Uncovered, Emma shares herdeeply personal story of childhood trauma, high-functioning anxiety, eventual burnout andhow that journey now shapes her work supporting young people.Emma and Alastair unpack what’s really happening in schools in 2026, whether the socialmedia ban for under 16s in Australia is working in practice, and how parents and educatorscan better bridge the generational divide. 5 Highlights Emma’s powerful upbringing story and the long shadow of high-functioning anxietyWhy schools today are seeing unprecedented levels of anxiety-related absenceThe reality of Australia’s social media ban and how easily it’s bypassedThe generational shift in how young people talk about mental healthThe “Three H’s” framework: Held, Helped, or HeardEmma Clark Takeaways: Anxiety doesn’t need to be “severe” to deserve attentionGen Z’s openness about mental health reduces stigma across generationsBlanket bans on social media may miss deeper structural issuesParents need education about the digital world — not just restrictionsBridging generational gaps often starts with asking what support someone actually wantsEmma Clark Linkswww.anxietyuncovered.comhttps://www.instagram.com/anxietyuncovered/https://www.instagram.com/emma.j.clark/Generationally Speaking Links:Generationally Speaking Website Generationally Speaking on LinkedIn Alastair on LinkedIn

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Engaging conversations around navigating generational communication

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