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Presented by Sherrell Wheeler New Mexico State University Alamogordo. Generational Communication Issues. Why Doesn’t My Boss Understand Me?. Do These Offend You?. You’re right, but I’m the boss! Just do your job! I remember when . . . - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Why Doesn’t My Boss Understand Me?
Presented by Sherrell WheelerNew Mexico State University Alamogordo
Generational Communication Issues
Do These Offend You?
You’re right, but I’m the boss!Just do your job!I remember when . . .The kid wants a promotion after
six months on the job!No!It’s five, I’m out of here!
Who in Here?
Remembers life without a cell phone… Remembers getting off the couch to
change the channel on the TV… Remembers black & white TV… Has ever owned a “vinyl record”… Has ever owned an “8 track tape”…
Who in Here?
Has never owned a record player. Can’t believe baby diapers were once made of cloth. Doesn’t care who shot JR. Never thought of Jaws while you were swimming in
the sea. Think the Vietnam War is as ancient as World Wars I
and II. Has only known a world with AIDS. Can understand the following: “c u b4 2nite”
People Communicate
Based on Their Generational Backgrounds
Successful Session:
Understand the four generations currently in the workforce
Understand generational differences in key workplace dimensions
Learn how to prepare your students to communicate with a representative of any generation at their workplace
Communication with Four
Generations of Employees
The Power of Four
First time to have four different generations together in the workforce
Generational differences can affect everything
The Power of Four
Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons.
Each generation struggles to understand the others.
Generational Diversity
Each generation tends to be shaped or influenced by its environment and experiences May have different meanings for the word
“employment” May have different communication styles
It is important to narrow any “generation gaps” in order to work well with others
Generation Timeline
1922-1945TraditionalistsSilent
1946-1964Baby Boomers
1980-2000Generation YGen YMillennialEcho Boomers
1965-1979Generation XGen XXers
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics - Traditionalist
Core Values
Family
Education
Communication Media
Dealing with Money
Respect for authorityConformersDisciplineTraditionalNuclearA dream
Rotary phonesOne-on-oneWrite a memoPut it awayPay cash
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Baby Boomers
Core Values
FamilyEducation
Communication Media
Dealing with Money
OptimismInvolvementDisintegrating
A birthright
Touch-tone phonesCall me anytime
Buy now, pay later
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Generation X
Core Values
FamilyEducation
Communication Media
Dealing with Money
SkepticismFunInformalityLatch-key kids
A way to get there
Cell phonesCall me only at workCautiousConservativeSave, save, save
Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Generation Y
Core Values
FamilyEducation
Communication Media
Dealing with Money
RealismConfidenceExtreme funSocial
Merged families
An incredible expense
InternetPicture phonesE-mail
Earn to spend
Which generation best characterizes
you?
Workplace Characteristics – Traditionalist
Work Ethic and Values
Work is . . .
Leadership Style
Interactive Style
Communications
Hard workRespect authoritySacrificeDuty before funAdhere to rulesAn obligation
Dictatorial and rigidCommand-and-controlIndividual
FormalMemo
Feedback and Rewards No news is good newsSatisfaction in a job well done
Messages That Motivate Your experience is respected
Work and Family Life Ne’er the twain shall meet
Workplace Characteristics – Baby Boomers
Work Ethic and Values
Work is . . .
Leadership Style
Interactive StyleCommunications
WorkaholicsWork efficientlyPersonal fulfillmentDesire quality
An exciting adventure
Consensus-building approachesCollegial/People oriented
Team playerLoves to have meetingsIn person
Feedback and RewardsDon’t appreciate itMoneyTitle recognition
Messages That Motivate You are valued and neededYour contribution is unique and important
Work and Family Life No balanceWork to live
Workplace Characteristics – Generation X
Work Ethic and Values
Work is . . .
Leadership Style
Interactive Style
Communications
Flexibility - work whenever, just get it doneSelf-relianceNot looking for longevity or lifetime positionSkeptical
A difficult challengeA contract
Everyone is the sameChallenge othersAsk why
Entrepreneur
DirectImmediate
Feedback and Rewards Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?Freedom is the best reward
Messages That Motivate Do it your wayForget the rules
Work and Family Life Balance
Workplace Characteristics – Generation Y
Work Ethic and Values
Work is . . .
Leadership Style
Interactive Style
Communications
Work is a way to fill time between weekendsNot likely to seek out additional responsibilityTolerantGoal oriented
A means to an endFulfillment
HonestyIntegrityTeam oriented
Participative
E-mailVoice mail
Feedback and Rewards Whenever I want it, at the push of a buttonMeaningful work
Messages That Motivate You will work with other bright, creative people
Work and Family Life Balance
“We need to get the report done.”
Commonalities for ALL Generations
Everyone is comfort seeking Most people resist change, but don’t like
status quo either Everyone wants information, to be kept “in
the loop” Everyone likes some level of control
Workplace Differences Message
We are good for each other,Let’s challenge each other,
Let’s communicate with each other!
Communicating with Traditionalist
Respect and acknowledge their expertise Follow the chain of command Speak positively of the organization Show interest in the work being done Appreciate their insights Be patient of their approach to technology Don’t refer to their age
Communicating with Baby Boomers
Acknowledge their experience and dedication Seek them out as mentors Find a balance between face-to-face and
technological communication Use them as “sounding boards” Focus on relationships as well as results Show them you can carry your share of the
load
Communicating with Gen X
Acknowledge their talents and expertise Be clear and specific, get to the point Rely on technology for communicating Place a high premium on efficiency Understand their need for balance Encourage a friendly and informal work
enviroment
Communicating with Gen Y
Acknowledge their talents and fresh perspectives Be open to new and different ways to work Encourage and embrace technology Involve them in projects of significance Show them respect as team members Offer to be a mentor Build a fun, challenging and fast-paced work
environment
People Communicate
Based on Their Generational Backgrounds
Potential “Clash” Points
Agency loyalty - From organizational to individual
Chain of command - From rigid to freedom
Work ethic - From corporate to individual
Workplace diversity - Gen Y is colorblind
Feedback and mentoring - Differences in communication styles
Minimizing Friction
Know who you’re working with Create a climate for and of RESPECT Communicate openly and honestly
To Narrow the Gap
Use the A List Accept your “mutual rightness” Acknowledge your interdependency on
each other generation Appreciate what you have in common Assume responsibility for making your
relationships better Adopt the “Platinum Rule”
What is the “Platinum Rule”?
The “Golden Rule” (in modern terms) –treat others the way ‘you’ want to be treated.
The “Platinum Rule” – treat others the way they want to be treated.
Is It Really a Communication
Problem?
Sherrell Wheeler
Assistant Professor of BusinessDirector of Online Quality Assurance
New Mexico State University Alamogrodo
