BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN GENERATIONS Prepared by Linda Thomas, Ed.D

Capital Investments

Communication: What is it?

SENDERWhat you mean

MESSAGEWhat you actually say

RECEIVER What I hear

Capital Investments

Barriers to Effective Communication

• Language • Cultural • Lack of interest or attention• Psychological • Physiological• Differing perspectives• Platform• Technology

Capital Investments

Believe it or not!

• There are five generations of Americans in the workforce now!

• Intergenerational Communication can suffer from each of these barriers!

Capital Investments

• “Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.”

George Orwell

Capital Investments

WHCCD VisionThe relentless pursuit of student success.

• World War II Generation akaThe Depression Generation

• Born before 1930 - 1945

• Currently 116 million in US• Though they are in their 70s,

many are still in the workforce.

• What do they Value? Rationing, Saving, Morality, Ethics, Patriotism, Conformity, Social Tranquility, Family Togetherness.

• They like tried and true ways of doing things and they are slow to embrace change.

• Many have substantial wealth in the form of home equity and savings.

• Baby Boomer Generation akaThe Me Generation

• Born 1946-1964

• Currently 75 million in the US• Aged 53-71• Boomers were born in the

dramatic increase of births after WWII.

• Many grew up indulged in an era of economic growth and prosperity.

• What do they value? Individualism, self-expression, optimism, their careers, health, energy, and wellness.

• Boomers are driven and believe that they can “re-engineer” life.

• They have more discretionary income and time than the other generations.

• Generation X akaThe Latchkey Generation

• Born 1965-1980

• Currently 51 million in the US• Aged 37-52• They reached adulthood during

difficult economic times and are more likely to be self-employed professionals who embrace free agency over company loyalty.

• These latchkey children grew up quickly, experiencing rising divorce rates and violence in society.

• What do they value? Family, multi-culturalism, and thinking globally.

• They are less traditional than other generations, pessimistic, skeptical, disillusioned, and questioning of conventionality.

• They do not believe in sacrificing time, energy, or relationships for advancement.

• Generation Y akaThe Millennial Generation

• Born 1981-1997

• Currently 76 million in the US• Aged 20-36• Millennials (children of the Baby

Boomers) born into a tech, electronic, wireless society where global boundaries are transparent.

• They expect full economic opportunity for everyone, dual income households, non-traditional family structures, ethnic and cultural diversity, social awareness, and portable technology.

• They are open minded, optimistic, goal oriented, and highly motivated toward their perceptions of success.

• What are their Values? Choice, Customization, Scrutiny, Integrity, Collaboration, Speed, Entertainment, and Innovation.

• Millennial Generation Cont. • Born 1981-1997

• They are accustomed to a diverse universe where anything seems possible.

• They are self-absorbed and self-reliant with a strong sense of independence and autonomy.

• They want results and are not as concerned with the why of it.

• They are image-driven and make personal statements with their image.

• They have a greater need for peer acceptance, connecting with their peers, fitting in, and social networking.

• Their efficiency at multi-tasking helps them be successful.

• Generation Z aka The Tween Generation

• Born 1998-

• Currently 50 million in the US (aged 19)

• These people are in their early formative years and have just graduated high school.

• They face global terrorism, the aftermath of 9/11, school violence, economic uncertainty, recession, and the mortgage crisis.

• They are the new conservatives embracing traditional beliefs, valuing the family unit, self-controlled, and more responsible.

• They are tech dependent and have never lived without the internet, expecting multiple sources of information.

• What do they value? Authenticity, Realness, Peer Acceptance, Security.

• They are global and diverse and quite possibly the most imaginative generation that has ever lived!

Capital Investments

How do they communicate? • The Depression Generation prefer formal written communication or

face-to-face conversation and formal greeting such as Mr. or Mrs. They put much stock in a firm handshake, direct eye contact and giving one’s word. They still get information from the traditional media (radio, television, billboards, magazines, and direct mail).

Capital Investments

How do they communicate? • Baby Boomers prefer word of mouth communication from trusted friends

and/or professional advisors. They value information presented to them as options so they can make the best decision. They want questions answered thoroughly and are looking for the competitive or positive advantage. Boomers prefer open and direct but not controlling body language and communication. They respond to positive, emotionally meaningful concepts, words, images, and stories.

Capital Investments

How do they communicate? • Generation X prefer plenty of access to information and education but see

themselves not just as consumers of information. They expect to contribute feedback. They prefer an informal communication style but they are not always easy to reach. They respond to irreverence and to frank, straightforward facts, candor, and honesty. They respect expertise and are motivated by non-traditional environments (informal, few rules). They tend to think communally and often make decisions together. They do not watch traditional network TV but find community in family gatherings and on the internet.

Capital Investments

How do they communicate? • Millennials are accustomed to communication designed for them as they

were raised in a world of technology and instant gratification. They prefer visual communication to motivate them and enjoy quirky humor like YouTube videos. Social networking sites are important in that they allow them to connect with their peers regarding important issues. They see email as passé and aren’t familiar with landline telephones. They respond to language that paints visual pictures and action verbs that challenge. Contact them through people they know and admire and who influence them such as their parents and grandparents.

Capital Investments

How do they communicate? • Generation Z highly prizes peer acceptance and belonging to peer groups. With the next

generation of social and virtual networking sites, they can build online communities (that cross racial, ethnic, and national borders) that are more like someone’s closest group of friends. They use multiple media platforms at the same time and communicate in “Chatspeak” e.g., u r gr8. They expect instant answers, interactive sites, and customization.

Capital Investments

Effective Leadership requires effective communication

• Value all members of your team - Leadership is the art of motivating people to act toward achieving a common goal.

• Keep your cool - The ability to manage emotions is twice as important for effective leadership than technical skill or academic knowledge.

• Work through it - Conflict is normal in human relationships and is the motor of change!

Capital Investments

Effective Leadership requires effective communication

In order to avoid conflict and misunderstandings in the workplace, clearly define Roles, Expectations, and Direction while recognizing your own bias!

Capital Investments

Some tips for intergenerational communication

• Use Active Listening Techniques– Listen carefully and be able to repeat in

summation. “So what I hear you saying is….”– When giving feedback, use “I statements”

instead of “you statements”– Ask open ended questions (What, Who, When,

Where)– Avoid asking Why questions. There is no right

answer!

Capital Investments

Some tips for intergenerational communication

Values/Tactics Ladder Shared values create a foundation of agreement by which specific issues can be decided.

– Values– Goals– Plans – Tactics

In most cases, people debate tactics without ever realizing their shared goals. To the extent that a group is able to relate to and return to the values level in any discussion, the civility of the discourse and the level of agreement on any issue will be significantly enhanced.