“What did you say?”Improving Intergenerational Communications

Welcome . . .

• Identify Your Generation:– Traditionalist (Before 1946)– Baby Boomer (1946 – 1965)– Generation-X (1966 – 1986)– Millennials (1987 –Present)

• One Perceived Misunderstanding About Your Generation.

7/18/2012 2

Objectives• Define the key attributes

of each generation (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation-X, & Millennials).

• Identify how our internal influences affect our perceptions working with other generations

• Identify the most appropriate communication tool to use based on the situation (based on content of communication and who is receiving)

• Apply concepts in different situations

7/18/2012 3

Agenda

• Welcome & Overview• Activity: Bringing

Out the Subconscious

• “Meet the Generations”

• My Actions, My Commitment

7/18/2012 4

…While we flatter ourselves that things

remain the same, they are changing under our very eyes from year to year,

from day to dayCharlotte Perkins Gilman,

Author

Bringing Out the Subconscious

7/18/2012 6

• Traditionalist

• Baby Boomer

• Generation – X

• Millenials

• Identify what you have heard or have been told about each generation

• Write descriptors on your handout

• Post the sticky notes in the defined area

• There are no RIGHT or WRONG answers

Meet The Generations

Influences / Attributes of Traditionalists

• Before 1946• Great

Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor

• Saving• Military

Service• Churchill, FDR, Truman• “Seen, But Not Heard”• Conformists• G.I. Bill• Hierarchy / Chain of

Command• Continue to Work7/18/2012 8

Influences / Attributes of Baby Boomers• 1946 – 1965• World War II• Strong Economy• The “American

Culture”• Lots of Children• New Schools• Traditional Family • Fads• Spotlight on

Children• Great Expectations• Sputnik / Civil

Rights • HOPE!!7/18/2012 9

Influences / Attributes of Generation-X

• 1966 – 1985• Vietnam• Weak Economy• “Me Decade”• Birth Control• Outdated Schools• Latchkey

Children• Sophisticated TV• Choices• Watergate• Decline of

American Hero• Divorce• CAUTION!!

7/18/2012 10

Influences / Characteristics of Millennials

• 1986 – Present• Have 50% More

Things• Cars, Beepers &

Cell Phones

• Respect• Babies Aboard• Volunteers• Fun with Parents

• Guns in Schools• Behavioral-Altering

Drugs• Educated /

Committed• America Gets Richer• Millennial Fads• “Columbine”• Community & World

Action• Fresh Start

7/18/2012 11

Communication Tools

7/18/2012 12

Communication Tool

Attributes

Best for which Generation

What would you do?

The Situation . . .

• A Traditionalist has joined your alumnae board.

• Her request is that she always be contacted by phone.

• The issue is that many times she is unavailable and that she has to be called multiple times.

• What are your suggestions to improve communication?

7/18/2012 14

The Situation . . . • Lately, your chapter has decided

that it is easiest to use Facebook to post information about upcoming events.

• You have received feedback from others that they have missed events and information.

• What are your suggestions to improve communication?

7/18/2012 15

The Situation . . . • You have noticed that the younger members of your board have started texting during meetings.

• You don’t think anyone else has noticed though you are not sure.

• What are your suggestions to improve communication?

7/18/2012 16

Create Your Own Situation . . .

• As a group, create your own situation.

• Identify a situation that happens frequently due to a lack of communication or not using the appropriate communication vehicle.

• Determine different options and share with the larger group.

7/18/2012 17

General Considerations

• Respect the generations and individual needs

• Be open to possibilities • Consider all communication tools• Do what you say, “Walk the talk”• Be clear• Hold yourself and others accountable

7/18/2012 18

Identify 2 - 3 commitments you will make to ensure that you are communicating effectively with all generations. Share one commitment with the group.

My Actions, My Commitment

7/18/2012 19