Generational communication expert, speaker and author Alastair Greener has marked the launch of his new book, Generationally Speaking – How to Bridge the Generation Gap and Communicate with Confidence, with an event at the Saïd Business School in Oxford.
The launch took place recently and brought together 35 guests, including representatives from the Saïd Business School, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and members of the press. The room included people from different age groups, which Alastair said felt like “the perfect reflection of what the book is all about.”
The evening was hosted by speaker and author Duncan Bhaskaran Brown, who guided the conversation and introduced the speakers. Guests then heard from Deborah Hale MBE, who spoke about organising the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012. She described the relay as “a celebration of bringing generations together in a moment of shared pride and purpose,” and reflected on how shared experiences can stay with people long after an event ends.
Neuroscientist Dr Lynda Shaw followed with insights into the brain and how people process information at different stages of life. She spoke about how communication across age groups can shape trust and understanding, especially in workplaces where expectations often vary.
When Alastair took to the stage, he explained why Oxford was the right place for the launch. He said he chose the setting because
“Oxford is the oldest university in England and a place where generations have come to learn, challenge ideas and shape the future. The Saïd Business School represents new thinking for new leaders. And on a personal note, my father was born in this city, even if he did go on to study at Cambridge.”
Alastair spoke about how the book aims to help people communicate more effectively at work, in families and in everyday life. He shared ideas from the book, including why stereotypes can hold people back, how cultural touchpoints shape identity and how his five-point model – Be Curious, Listen, Don’t Judge, Don’t Compare and Accept We Are All Different – can make conversations easier across age groups.
Generationally Speaking brings together Alastair’s research, his long-running podcast, his work with organisations and insights from thousands of survey participants. It aims to support readers living in a world where four generations work side by side and eight generations share society for the first time.
Alastair is a UK-based communication consultant and speaker specialising in generational communication. He also hosts The Generationally Speaking Podcast, featuring guests from business, education and media.