If you are to search for resources about the hows and whys of communication, you will be drowned in the sea of information. There are so many articles, videos, manuals, and courses about it.
The irony is that, as humans, we are social. As Aristotle once said,
“Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god. ”
But how come it is still a struggle for each of us?
In my early days in high school life, I thought I was good at it. I took on leadership roles left and right, and I could sell myself into any position I wanted.
Those days, I have so many ideas! I spent most of my energy on speaking my mind.
But looking back now, it seems I was only good at it because many of my classmates chose to not convey their thoughts. And right now, I realize I failed at communicating.
How so?
Communication is a two-way street, I failed to encourage others to convey their thoughts. This led to many missed opportunities to implement my ideas into projects and programs.
Likewise, in the professional world, communication is more than just making yourself heard—it’s a tool for getting projects, programs, and operations done efficiently.
I think that’s the struggle—we’re great at talking, but not so much at really communicating.
That being said, understanding different communication styles is more important than ever. With four generations in the workplace today, communication becomes a skill that needs to be mastered to survive and excel.
In this article, we will explore the communication styles of the four generations; their communication preferences, strategies for effective cross-generational communication, and how to overcome misunderstandings.
Communication Preferences by Generation
One study published in 2019, titled “Bridging the gap: How the generations communicate” uses Anxiety/Uncertainty Management (AUM) Theory to examine intergenerational communication and perception.
The research focused on three main generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials.
The findings indicate distinct preferences and comfort levels in communication styles.
Baby Boomers lean towards face-to-face interactions, while Millennials primarily utilize digital means, and Generation X serves as a bridge, accommodating both styles.
Though the study focuses on these three, it also mentions the Gen Zs/Digital Natives. Responses from these groups were not included in the main analysis due to small sample sizes; however, they generally exhibit a strong affinity for digital communication.
Effective Cross-Generational Communication
There is a concept I first heard in one of the leadership conferences and it is called generational affinity.
It is simply about how similarities in age or generational experiences might affect learning and communication.
The speaker that day was giving directions about an activity, the audience was “Generation Alpha”, He asked the Gen Z organizers, who were scattered around the venue, to help pass along his instructions.
The result?
Everyone got the message, joined in the activity, and learned something new.
The Millennial speaker did a great job bridging the generational gap by enlisting the help of the nearby Gen Zs to make sure his instructions got through.
This is what I think we could do to overcome generational misunderstandings in the workplace.
We could tandem generations to reach each generation.
Baby Boomer to Generation X, Generation X to Millennials, and Millennials to Alpha.
It is a mix and match!
For Baby Boomers and Millennials, it’s all about mixing communication methods. Imagine it like a balanced diet: combine face-to-face chats with some digital interaction. Also, being upfront about tech use is a must to address any concerns whether privacy or operational, this is to make sure that everyone are on the same page.
When you look at Generation X and Millennials, it’s pretty straightforward—they can talk things through and find common ground pretty easily. Generation X could adjust to Millennials preferred communication style.
In the gap in the Baby Boomers and Millennials, we could throw Generation X into the mix as a sort of bridge between these two. Gen Xers can really help by highlighting what Baby Boomers and Millennials share and by showing respect for both sides. This approach helps smooth out any bumps and misunderstandings between the two groups.
Lastly, Millennials and Gen Zs/Digital Natives thrive on the latest digital trends. They could embrace new tools and technologies no sweat, but it will be best to make sure that they are aware of older generations’ preferences too. Plus, Millennials can mentor Gen Zs, helping them understand workplace dynamics and communication etiquette, which makes working together smoother for everyone.
Bridging the the generational gap is indeed a lot of work, however learning and understanding it will help us tremendously in how to better collaborate with each other.
The O.Gs (Original) of Communication Skill
Two timeless communication skills never go out of style for any generation.
That is Active listening and flexibility.
These skills are the OGs that can bridge any generation.
Active listening is like tuning in to a favorite radio station—you get a better understanding of what’s happening.
Flexibility? It’s like having a superpower. It lets you adapt effortlessly and navigate different communication styles with ease.
Knowing the ins and outs of each generation’s communication preferences is great but don’t overlook these two key traits.
Be prepared to adjust your communication style to fit the needs of different generations. Misunderstandings are costly and unnecessary—nobody wants them!
If you ever want to learn more about how to address the generational gap in the workplace, feel free to contact us!
