Innovation grows when people from different walks of life share their ideas and they are head and valued. It grows when diverse minds join forces. Young team members tap into emerging trends as they have ideas shaped by new tools and social movements. By blending these ideas with the wisdom of more experienced colleagues we build powerful solutions that move our organisations forward.

Think of a workplace where every young person feels heard, a place where fresh ideas have space to grow and where people in their teens and twenties are not only seen but their thoughts are encouraged & welcomed. That’s the kind of work environment we all need. Young people have always played an important part in changing our world. Today, as we talk about the future of work, their energy, ideas, and dreams matter more than ever.

Why their voices matter

Let’s start with something simple

Young people have new ideas. They grew up with different tools and ways of thinking. It means they ask “why?” more often, and that curiosity can lead to important change. When we listen, and honestly try to answer their questions, instead of quietening them, we break limiting barriers and go beyond. The questions help plant seeds for new ideas, concepts, solutions that might help teams be more creative, innovative, effective and productive.

Young voices bring energy

Imagine someone in school who tries every day, in different ways, to beat their competitor at a sport. And when the school team wins, the euphoria and energy is contagious. Now imagine that same spark in a workplace. One person’s innovation and win is the whole organization’s win. It lifts others’ spirits, and it pushes people to think differently and propels the entire organization.

Learning basics from each other

Successful people never stop learning, and We all learn from each other. Young professionals bring fresh ideas, while experienced colleagues share wisdom from years of exposure. When the two work side by side, both grow in ways they never expected. Young people are often comfortable with technology and new ways of working, while older team members can offer guidance and wisdom from experience, successes and failures.

Working together across ages helps organizations solve tough problems. It encourages open talks and builds trust among all team members. When everyone understands that it is okay to share ideas and ask questions, innovation happens.

Helping each other succeed

In my journey of building Marching Sheep over the last 11 years, I’ve witnessed time and time again how much we learn when honesty and respect are at the forefront of our discussions. With team members ranging from gen Z to Gen X, from different life stages, different locations and cultures, it is a team with very diverse voices. When everyone feels empowered to voice what’s on their mind, learning occurs effortlessly. Mistakes are not failures but rather lessons. And achievement tastes so much sweeter when it’s accomplished by the entire team, rather than merely celebrated by an individual.

I’ve also found that younger colleagues come with a new perspective. They notice things others overlook, and their visions set them on different paths. Occasionally they pose questions others won’t ask, and those questions lead to doors we didn’t even know existed. Their voices call us to be more open, more honest, and more just in how we work.

When we open up space for young people in key decisions, something changes. They begin to believe in their own solutions, and the workplace discovers new means to expand. That’s how genuine change starts by listening to one another, learning from each other, and creating a future that’s for all.

Real changes that come from listening

When organizations hear, they know that small differences make large changes. If a young employee suggests using instant messaging tools instead of email to quickly ask questions, it saves time wasted and connects everyone. Or they provide feedback that a meeting could begin with a quick check-in to feel more welcoming. That little tweak can make work seem more human. It is not always about big transformations, but small things that matter. And those qualities make a workplace become stronger, day by day.