Muscat – What happens when three generations come together to challenge workplace stereotypes and share their realities? AmCham Oman’s recent panel discussion, ‘Building a Cross-Generational Workforce’, did exactly that – creating an open, honest, and highly relevant conversation on the evolving dynamics of today’s workplace.

The discussion brought together professionals from Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z to share real experiences, perspectives, and challenges, with a focus on moving beyond assumptions and building stronger, more collaborative teams.

The discussion was structured around five key themes:

• Values and purpose
• Communication, feedback, and empathy
• Age, bias, and real generational challenges
• Loyalty, retention, and trust
• Working better together through practical solutions

The panel featured Neelmani Bhardwaj, CEO of Takaful Oman, Roopa Koshy McCall, Executive Director and Psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre, and Rawan Al Awaira, Specialist – Culture & Engagement at Omantel, and was moderated by Farzeen Ashik, Founder and Executive Coach at Ascend Consulting.

A key highlight of the discussion was the honest and relatable perspectives shared by each generation.

Representing Gen Z, Rawan Al Awaira emphasised the importance of trust and space for growth, noting that younger professionals are often misunderstood, “Give Gen Z space to try new things and make mistakes. We are not lazy—we thrive in environments where we feel respected, listened to and empowered.”

From a Millennial perspective, Roopa Koshy McCall highlighted the unique position of her generation, “We often look more confident than we feel. We’ve lived through significant shifts—from economic downturns to rapid technological change—and we sit between two generations, constantly learning how to adapt and bridge the gap.”

Neelmani Bhardwaj, representing Gen X, challenged common perceptions and reinforced the adaptability of his generation, “We are not rigid or stuck—we have evolved. Organizations should embrace reverse mentoring and actively learn from Gen Z to stay relevant and forward-looking.”

Throughout the session, a consistent message emerged from both the panel and the audience: while generational differences exist, there is a shared desire across all age groups to be understood, respected, and heard. Effective communication was identified as the key to bridging gaps and building stronger, more cohesive teams.

Commenting on the session, Candice Troup, Head of Events & Engagement at AmCham Oman, said, “Our goal is to bring AmCham’s HR community together in a meaningful way—creating space for open dialogue, shared experiences, and practical learning. Sessions like this are not just about the topic, but about building a stronger, more connected community that can learn from each other and grow together.”

AmCham Oman extends its sincere thanks to its HR Community Sponsor, Takaful Oman, for supporting the initiative, as well as to the panelists, moderator, and attendees for contributing to a meaningful and impactful discussion.

The panel forms part of AmCham Oman’s ongoing efforts to support professional development and foster dialogue on the future of work in Oman.

For more information on upcoming events or to join AmCham Oman visit www.amcham.om.