Chapter 1: The Value of Business Cards

In my early career, I was captivated by my first business card. Its elegant design boasted my job title, contact information, and my name—everything that symbolized my professional identity. I reveled in the pride of sharing it with family and friends.

As I climbed the corporate ladder, each new role came with an updated card featuring an upgraded title, a secretary's phone number, and an email address. The design of business cards was paramount, requiring careful thought and attention to detail. Moreover, I had to familiarize myself with the etiquette surrounding business cards, especially when traveling abroad for work.

Understanding the psychology behind business cards became essential for anyone aspiring to succeed in business. Questions arose: How should I present my card? What should I say? Should I use one or both hands to exchange it? And what do I do with a received card? Simply tossing it into my pocket after a brief glance was never the correct response.

A true professional would scrutinize the card, feigning interest, and respond with exaggerated appreciation—a somewhat absurd ritual that could last several minutes. I recall once instructing a cab driver to return to my hotel so I could retrieve my cards; being without them at a conference was simply not an option.

Business cards were indispensable for making a lasting impression and asserting one’s position in the corporate hierarchy.

Chapter 2: The Modern Conference Experience

Fast forward to May 2022, and I found myself speaking at an international conference focused on the future of work. Most attendees were from my generation, and while I felt somewhat out of practice, I believed I was well-prepared with an engaging story and presentation.

However, my confidence wavered when another participant revealed his stylish business card case. To my dismay, I realized I had forgotten my cards—an oversight that had slipped my mind entirely. When I jokingly asked if he wasn’t on LinkedIn, he offered his card but seemed less than impressed with my inquiry.

As discussions unfolded among the conference attendees regarding the work ethic of younger generations, their critiques were sharp. They lamented that Gen Z seemed reluctant to engage fully in the corporate grind, placing a premium on work-life balance and shunning the traditional long hours associated with corporate culture.

Despite my initial embarrassment over forgetting my cards, I found solace in the realization that the views expressed were rooted in an outdated mindset reminiscent of the 1980s. I was distinctly different from my peers.

Chapter 3: Embracing Change in the Workplace

One crucial lesson for the Zoomer generation is to eschew conventional methods that may no longer serve them well. While it might not be immediately apparent, we are navigating an intensely competitive and ever-changing job market. Positions are evolving rapidly, and traditional roles are fading away.

The conventional corporate ladder, which once promised automatic advancement based on seniority, is becoming obsolete. The era of ornate business cards as symbols of status is fading into the past. Instead, it is vital for young professionals to forge their own paths, leading them to uncharted and thrilling opportunities.

To achieve this, focus is paramount. The distractions associated with the traditional "business card" mentality can hinder career growth. Today, what matters is building a digital presence, embracing creativity, demonstrating flexibility, maintaining a self-directed learning approach, and thinking outside the box. The ability to collaborate from anywhere at any time with anyone is essential.

Opportunities abound, and advancement is no longer a linear journey.

The video titled "Gen X Is Meaner Than Gen Z and Millennials Are All Me, Me, Me" delves into the contrasting work ethics and perceptions between generations, highlighting the differences in attitudes toward work and success.