# What would we tell Generation Alpha?

- **Episode:** [141](https://agents.truthliesandwork.com/episodes/141.md) (2024-10-31)
- **Type:** other
- **Tags:** generation-alpha, future-of-work, children, technology
- **Time:** 40:53–47:25 (start 2453s)
- **Listen:** [https://truthliesandwork.com/141?t=2453](https://truthliesandwork.com/141?t=2453)

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[40:53] Leanne Elliott: A couple of years ago, the Ellie Sparkles Show, a YouTube show aimed at children, surveyed 1,000 5 to 8-year-olds in the United States about what they wanted from work. The 4th most popular job was a YouTuber. Whilst that might get the Gen X's and boomers chuckling over their cocoa, Annabelle is a digital native, so she knows that this isn't as a ridiculous job aspiration as it might sound. She has some advice for all alphas, regardless of whether they want to be an accountant or an influencer? Because of the responsibility and the pressure and the fact that it is a big thing. Like I say, on the flip, it's nice that I can have that impact, but also people are running these businesses for their lives and things don't always go as planned. Things don't always go the way people want. Sometimes things go wrong, and sometimes, like I said before, things are out of control, out of your control. Um, sometimes knowing that I'm waking up and I'm working on something that where a client isn't maybe in the best financial position And I'm only relaying that information to him, and I've got to have a difficult conversation with him, you know, and say, you know, we need to take a look at this, or this isn't working, or this could end— like, end up— this situation could potentially get worse. That's not a nice place to be. Um, that's not a nice position to be in. Um, and, and that sometimes can cause a little bit of, um— I don't know if anxiety is the right word. Um, but certainly a pressure, you know. that, that feeling of, uh, I don't necessarily want to do this. Um, but, and I, I do want to end this on a positive, that just makes the nice moments even better, which is what I've only recently also realized. You have them difficult conversations, but they're not— the nice ones also come, and that's what's good. Professional service. So footballers, they've got ups and downs. Like, then there's everything. Life is— you've got ups and downs. YouTubers and, um, It's just what— it's just what you want to spend your life doing. Like, what, you know, it's not about the end goal. Like I said before, it's not about becoming a really famous YouTuber. It's not about becoming a chartered accountant and being a finance partner or on the board of, you know, it's, uh, it's what you're going to do in the meantime. It's going to— what you're going to be passionate about, excited about, that's what you should be doing
[43:03] Al Elliott: Leanne, you are a millennial. What advice would you have for Generation Alpha who's about to enter the workforce?
[43:09] Leanne Elliott: Um, I— it's hard, isn't it, to offer advice to somebody you don't know, and particularly as an older person? But the same, going down the same route in terms of it was my 14-year-old self, I would say first off, know that your career is just going to be one aspect of your identity. It is important to work hard, but remember that that's a choice. Um, I think it's, it's important to know that not everyone will change the world, and really it's about making sure whether you're willing to put in that hard work to change the world, or if actually you just want to do what you need to do to craft the world that you want. And I think pursuing your passions and giving your best effort will, of course, pay off in so many ways, and in ways you can't even imagine. It's almost impossible to predict what life is going to throw at you. I think choose your relationships wisely. I remember what you said, Al, about the 5 people you spend the most time with are those that shape who you are the most. I spent too long surrounding myself with people that I shouldn't have. So yeah, if you can surround yourself with individuals who inspire you, who challenge you, who aren't toxic— you don't have to put up with toxic relationships, even in a work-based scenario. They will not serve you in the long run, no matter what you think. And these friends that will become your people, your tribe, they will be your allies in your personal life. in your professional life, in your career. Invest in those connections. And as I said, don't hesitate to distance yourself from that negativity. And I know this is a really hard one, but try not to worry too much about what other people think of you. Honestly, honestly, their opinions are much more about them than they are about you. Anything that somebody says, 9 times out of 10, is about them and not you. Also, and again, I promise this to be true, know the things that you're bullied for now The quirks, the interests, the unique traits will be the very things that set you apart and will be celebrated in your future. Embrace those aspects of yourself. They make you exceptional, including the optimistic, fresh thinking that older people may label as delusional or entitled when you join the workforce. Learn to communicate effectively, and that doesn't mean just speaking well. It means listening. Being a good listener is just as important as expressing your thoughts clearly, and it's a skill that will serve you in every aspect of your life, including your career. Try and learn to embrace change and uncertainty. It is a fact of life and one that is just, just getting more frequent. It is unsettling. Also know, though, that nothing is wasted. Every experience that you find yourself in, whether it was planned or intentional or not, will be useful in the future. As long as you stay positive and mindful of how you're learning and how you can use those experiences. Al and I talk about it all the time. We started a little podcast 5 years ago just to document our travel experiences. We never imagined that the things we learnt then we'd apply as part of our professional life every day. And finally, from one old person to a young person, wear sunscreen. It's a simple fact that will protect you, not only your health, but your skin and how old you look. Um, Baz Luhrmann wasn't wrong when he said that. If you ignore everything else I've just said, trust me on the sunscreen
[46:23] Al Elliott: If you are wondering who the hell Baz Luhrmann is, then, and you're a Gen Alpha, then it's probably something which maybe your parents or even, God help me, your grandparents would have known. It's a song from the '90s. Definitely look it up. It is a brilliant song full of great advice that has stood the test of time. I really can't add anything to that. I think the only thing I'd say is maybe The job that you're probably likely to do in 20 years' time hasn't been invented yet. So just like Leanne says, try everything, be resilient towards problems and towards toxic situations. But bear in mind that sort of that whole like Nietzsche thing of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, that's kind of true. So just, you know, all those bad experiences will actually come back and make you stronger, and you'll feel a much better person for it
[47:06] Leanne Elliott: And try not to take it all so seriously, you know. It is, it is. Of course it's serious. It's how you're going to make money and how you're going to build your own lifestyle and all that stuff. Um, but there's an infinite number of routes to do it. Um, have some fun along the way. It's, you know, youth is wasted on the young, probably because there's older people like us telling you that you need to grow up