Communication key to cross-generational relationships

Communication key to cross-generational relationships

With four generations now actively working together, experts contend that one element critical to success as a society is these different age groups’ ability to effectively communicate.

These four “named” generations and their associated birth year ranges are: The Traditionalist Generation (1922-1943); The Baby Boomers (1943-1960); Generation X (1960-1980); and Generation Y (1980-2000).

“Each generation has a unique communication style,” said Debra Saturley, talent ambassador for Manpower’s Midwest Division, speaking to business leaders at “Communicating Across Generations,” a seminar sponsored by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville.

“If you just open your mind and have an awareness of how people communicate, I think you’ll find similar connections.”

Saturley stated that communication is defined by more than people’s words but also their actions and body language.

“When it comes to communication differences, they’re just as evident in appearance as long as we pay attention to what’s going on around us,” she said.

In order to understand other generations, it’s necessary to analyze and understand the values and beliefs of each generation as well as the cultural differences that shaped those beliefs, said Saturley.

The traditionalists are shaped by the events of the first half of the 20th century: the Great Depression, World War II, FDR and Prohibition. As such, they have a strong work ethic based on the idea that hard work today will produce rewards in the future.

Traditionalist values were based on those of their parents, said Saturley, and they tend to make decisions rooted on what worked well in the past. Yet their core value is respect.

“In a study done in 2001,” Saturley said, “respect was the top psychological need for the Traditionalist generation.”

The following are tips for communicating with Traditionalists:
• Due to the private or silent nature of this group, don’t expect members of this generation to share their thoughts immediately.
• Your word is your bond. Focus on words; body language is less important.
• Face to face or written communication is preferred.
• Don’t waste their time. Value statements should be clear and evident.
• Formal titles are expected.
• Schedule a time to connect versus just stopping by.
• Feedback: No news is good news.

Message to motivate Traditionalists:
• “It’s important for the rest of us to hear what has and hasn’t worked in the past.”

“We need to learn from the experiences Traditionalists have had in order to know how to grow moving forward,” Saturley said.

The Boomer values have been shaped from a culture of war, where Vietnam, civil rights, the space race, television and Martin Luther King Jr. shaped the generation. As such, they place great importance on personal communication.

“The number one goal of the Baby Boomer generation is to build rapport through their communication,” said Saturley.

Additionally, they value competition, change, hard work and inclusion. They are also very passionate about the things they believe in.

The following are tips for communicating with Baby Boomers:
• Body language is very important.
• Speak openly and directly but avoid controlling language.
• Respond to questions with thorough answers and expect to be pressed for details.
• Present options to demonstrate flexibility in your thinking.
• Feedback: Once a year is enough.

Notice the different emphasis in interpersonal communication from “words” for Traditionalists to “body language” for Baby Boomers.

Message to motivate baby boomers:
• “You are important to our success.”

Generation X values have been formed by events like the Elvis Presley’s death, and the Challenger disaster, as well as computers, single parent homes and movies like “Star Wars” and “Jaws.”

As such, Gen X values diversity, efficiency, personal development, independence, fun and, most important of all, life balance.

“Everyone appreciates a monetary increase in the workplace setting,” Saturley said. “But the number one reward for Generation X is time off. Life balance is not something that they aspire to, they’re making it happen.”

The following are tips for communicating with Generation X:
• Use e-mail as primary communication tool.
• Use a short concise approach to conversations.
• Ask them for feedback and provide them with regular feedback.
• Use an informal communication style.
• Feedback: Sorry to interrupt but how am I doing?

Traditionalists and Boomers can communicate best with Gen X by cutting to the chase and avoiding unnecessary conversations or meetings, said Saturley.

Messages to motivate Generation X:
• “Do it your way.”
• “We’re not very corporate here.”

“Generation X is the generation that took that hierarchy that was so common in corporate America and they knocked down that door,” said Saturley.

Generation Y values have been developed by pop culture, rampant technological advances, schoolyard violence and the Clinton scandal.

For them, personal development and education are strong values, as well as diversity, fun, optimism, civic duty and confidence.

“This generation has a sense of confidence that they bring to everything they do,” Saturley said.

It is a generation of independents; it’s a notion supported by the fact that Gen Y family members make 74 percent of a family’s leisure decisions at home, said Saturley.

The following are tips for communicating with Generation Y:
• Resents being talked down to.
• Prefers e-mail communication.
• Seek their feedback constantly and provide them with regular feedback.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously.
• Feedback: I get feedback whenever I want it at the push of a button.

Message to motivate Generation Y:
• “We provide equal opportunities here.”

Saturley stressed that Gen X and Gen Y need to slow down and listen to the experience and expertise of the Boomers and Traditionalists, while the older generations must recognize and accept the changes of the newer ones.

“The more open that we are to respecting the generational styles and needs, the closer we will be to effectively communicating across generations,” Saturley said.

Jeremy Stoltz, News Editor

Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 (Archive on Wednesday, September 17, 2008)
Posted by jstoltz Contributed by jstoltz

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