It is important for him to have fixed working hours and for her to be able to walk around the office in her pyjamas and slippers. It doesn't even matter who "he" and "she" are, they are members of two different generations. It seems that our preferences in life are mainly determined by the year we were born in. It cannot be so, the logical thought would be, but given the dynamics of changing technologies and trends we are (have been) exposed to, and the circumstances of our upbringing, it is obvious that the year of birth is crucial. If we think about it, it makes sense that the "team" that agreed to go out "without a mobile phone" values punctuality more than the "mobile generation" that adapts smoothly until the last minute. It is quite clear that an older lecturer who is used to public speaking finds it much more difficult to tolerate online learning or online meetings. It's quite clear that a dude from the 80s who practised turning his car with the handbrake has a different perception of mobility than a Gen Z guy who lives on public transport, uses the Uber platform, etc. There are countless examples, and the differences between us have become so obvious that groups of people have emerged, defined by the year of their birth. These differences are so great and important that they cannot (and should not) be ignored, whether we are talking about private or business relations. Technology is changing much faster than it is being systematically used in education, with known advantages and disadvantages, the consequences of which are visible as new generations grow up. These are qualities that make us so different from each other and we can all gain only by thinking about them before we start a dialogue. And it's not just us that will gain, but everything that follows: sales, love relationships, partnership, a game, presentations, jobs, cancellations, gifts…

Considering the dynamics of changing technology and the trends we have been exposed to, as well as the circumstances in which we were brought up, it is quite obvious that the year of birth is crucial.

Sometimes it seems to make a big difference whether a person was born in 1974 or 1982. And indeed it is. The oldest generation categorised was called “baby boomers” or "boomers". These are people born between 1946 and 1964, motivated by loyalty and teamwork. They prefer face-to-face communication and are loyal to tradition. So what can we expect once a boomer's co-worker becomes someone from Generation Z? Let's say a young man who prefers to communicate with emoticons on social networks, values independence and innovation, and his role models are extroverted leaders? He admires leaders who defy all the corporate standards and values that meant something "yesterday". There is no doubt that these values still mean something today, but the question is to whom and to what extent. No matter how big the difference, consumer or social, the older colleague grew up during the Cold War, while the young hipster was shaped by the rise of social networks.

Whatever the difference, it is clear that – whether formal or informal, corporate, internal or external – it is communication that makes life better. It is, in fact, our duty to be able to communicate well. It is the least we can do for others and, indirectly, for ourselves. If the system, or we ourselves, are investing so much in the realisation of education, in the achievement of goals and the realisation of projects, then it is certainly poor or misguided communication that can jeopardise success. Good communication can repair our relationship with our children and our partner, and then we can be happier and more effective at work. And the reverse is also true. Good communication can repair relationships with colleagues and then help us enjoy our relationships with loved ones even more. So is it reasonable to neglect the importance of dialogue? Absolutely not! Especially because all you need to do to be completely successful is to listen well, be empathetic and put your ego aside. Then it's easy to figure out what the other person needs, and depending on which generation they come from (the boomers, X, Y or Z), we'll also know how to communicate openly with them. That's a lot to achieve already, but it's only a start.

"It's easier for those who can speak nicely," many are convinced. In reality, it is easier for those who can listen well. At the same time, taking into account generational characteristics and the importance of communication, new chapters are opening up on types of people. There are different models and divisions, different methodologies. But modern psychologists argue that there are five types of people in the world, defined by their personality. Each person's strengths and weaknesses are revealed by the personality, it presents ourselves to the world. That is why it is important to recognise our own personality before we start thinking about the personality of our colleagues or partners. Only when we recognise ourselves and our personality traits can we become a better employer, employee, parent or child. Only then can we identify others. This article hasn't opened all the chapters, but if it just gives you an idea of how you talk and listen and who you talk to, you have already taken a big step forward in your personal development. Because it's only when we realise that we don't get on very well and that different things are important to us – then we can actually start talking.