“Generational intelligence and sustainable

futures”

Simon BiggsBiggss@unimelb.edu.au

Sbiggs@bsl.edu.au

Simon Biggs University of MelbourneBrotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Generational Intelligence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Introducing Generational Intelligence

A Definition of GI

• An ability to reflect and act, drawing on an understanding of one’s own and other’s life-course, family and social history, within a contemporary social climate.

Biggs & Lowenstein 2011

Why is this important?

• Workplaces are intergenerational• Care environments are intergenerational• Urban & Rural Spaces are intergenerational• Policy decisions are intergenerational• Helps map generational environments

Sustainable Solutions: will need to rely on increased levels of generational insight, empathy and ‘intelligence’.

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

Philosophical Dimensions of GI

• The degree to which one becomes conscious of self as part of a generation

• Relative ability to put yourself in the position of other generations

• Relative ability to act with awareness of one’s generational circumstances

A Generational Phenomenology

• Lifecourse: in midlife• Family: a sandwich • Cohort: baby boomer• Changing from looking back to looking

forward, with competing family demands, identifying with younger rather than older generations, and an emphasis on self-actualisation.

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

Steps Toward Generational Intelligence

Step One: Recognize generational distinctiveness

Step Two: Understand the relationship between generational positions

Step Three: Take a value stance toward generational positions

Step Four: Act in a manner that is generationally aware

Pragmatic Dimensions of GI

• Recognising Generation as an Issue

• Negotiating Intergenerational Consensus

• Acting on Mutually Productive Solutions

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

Mapping Generational Environments

• Map the generational constituencies• Facilitate spaces for intergenerational

communication and decision-making• Clarify generational priorities• Analyse functions and problems through an

intergenerational lens• Build sustainable solutions

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

Toward Sustainable Solutions

S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Median age of selected countries and world, 1950 to 2050

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Australia China Germany India

Japan United Kingdom United States World

There’s no going back

S Biggs University of Melbourne & Brotherhood of St Laurence

Intergenerational Sustainability

• Solutions that endure over time• Contain the ambivalence of intergenerational

relations• Recognise age-diversity between age groups• Recognise age-diversity within age-groups• Require negotiated settlements

S Biggs University of Melbourne & Brotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Cultural Innovation

• New roles adapted to a new demography• Greater attention to generational

interconnection• New ways of releasing specific potentials of a

long life• ‘By’ and ‘For’ Innovation

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Releasing Generational Capital

Social Capital

Generational Intelligence

Intergenerational Sustainability

Cultural Innovation

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Where to from here?

• Training: re-discover generational intelligence

• Roles: create complementary relationships

• Spaces: GI friendly environments

• Policies: co-created solutions

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence

Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence