While driving after work last week, I found myself singing along to a few old favourite Christmas tunes. We all know the songs; we have heard them a thousand times before…
“Driving home for Christmas…Baby it’s cold outside…All I want for Christmas is you…Santa Claus is coming to town…”

And whilst many of these songs were released before Millennials and Gen Z even knew what music was, they are likely to have heard of them, that is when it struck me that it always seems to be the same songs played on repeat at this time of year. Why haven’t we moved on? Why haven’t newer Christmas songs stuck around like those classics? Why is it that we return to the same festive tunes every year and happily sing them in the car (in private!) or at our office Christmas parties (not so private!)? What is creating this loyalty?

The answer is they are not just songs – they ‘are’ Christmas. They provide nostalgia, the memories they evoke, but how does this play into professional services? Feelings and emotions play a large part in every business decision. Although many of us may think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, biologically we are feeling creatures that think.

Therefore, if something as simple as a Christmas song can unite generations, how might this translate into the workplace? This is the first time in history that we have had a combination of 4 generations working alongside each other.

For older generations, such as baby boomers and Gen X, workplace nostalgia often centres on the camaraderie of face-to-face interactions, the simplicity of pre-digital workflows, or the stability and clarity of hierarchical structures. These memories evoke a sense of belonging and purpose, often tied to a time when professional life felt more predictable and human-centred. Partners in professional services firms experience nostalgia when reflecting on their early career progression even when the reality was very different https://www.openside.group/the-partnership-trap

Younger generations, Millennials and Gen Z on the other hand, might already feel nostalgia for the early days of their careers, such as the excitement of their first job, the novelty of team-building exercises, or even the unique challenges of remote work during the pandemic. These experiences, while recent, carry emotional weight and shape how individuals perceive their professional journeys.

This generational nostalgia creates opportunities for connection, but it can also highlight tensions. Differing perspectives on what constitutes the “good old days” may reveal gaps in priorities and values. Older employees might cherish stability and tradition, while younger employees might prioritise innovation and flexibility. By acknowledging these differences successful organisations are those that utilise employees’ unique strengths, fostering open communication, creating shared goals and building cohesive teams. ‘After all, all we want for Christmas is collective harmony.

If you would like to receive a copy of our generational report “How do generations combine and work together in a modern workforce?” please email contact@openside.group

Source: https://openside.group/the-impact-of-emotion-on-loyalty-and-buying-decisions-2020-2/

Written by: Naomi Fenn-Mansfield