Multi-Generational Communication Strategies
As pandemic time is sunsetting, I am witnessing common threads between healthy organizations with happy employee relationships as opposed to those who are struggling.
The way we work has morphed, yet I’m finding that people still want / need to see people. This is even more vital for our next generation employees who are seeking mentorship and coaching since they haven’t received much of either these past few years.
The largest hurdle that many older individuals are guilty of (present company included) includes a communication style that relays terms, activities, and even pop culture references that exclude younger people.
For me, like many, this is not intentional. Quite actually, I forget my age and that my exposure / experience of things may be derived from moments several decades ago. (I have the memory of an elephant. My collection of idioms or other resources might be recalled from last month, or it could be from 1979, and everything in between!)
Here’s a story from when I first experienced a hint of generational divide in my conversation:
Several years ago, my husband and I attended the 60 th birthday celebration of a former colleague of mine. “Joe” and I had worked closely with one another for many years, so I had heard many great proud father stories about his daughters.
At his party, I had the opportunity to meet them in person for the first time. They were in their late twenties by then. Each was well on her way to a thriving career in her respective career. One was also accompanied by her fiancé.
My husband was engaging and funny (as usual) in our conversation with all three of them. Somehow the conversation took us to doomsday prepping. (I’m not sure how; we do live in Texas, though!)
I jokingly interjected that “meanwhile, back at the ranch…” That’s when I was stopped before I could continue my story.
The young man interrupted: “You have a ranch?!?”
I looked at him strangely and I said, “Uh, no.”
I was about to continue but then thought about it and tried to explain that that reference was a saying. None of the other members of our group had heard of it except for my husband and me.
Of course, we then googled it to find its source. (For those who are curious, that idiom is derived from the silent movie days. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/meanwhile%2C+back+at+the+ranch.
In summary, it was a major wake up call for me. I now try to become far more aware of the nostalgic references that I make in my conversations.
By the way, it works both ways.
Concurrently, each younger generation has its own language and trends that are different as well. Even the most self-proclaimed, older hipsters are only so in their own minds. Just ask their kids or younger folks around them!
We all need to deploy strategies that individualize and customize our messages to our audiences, knowing that it’s never one size fits all. There must be an empathy and appreciation of diversity, experience, education, background, etc. to be successful.
Will we always get it right when aiming towards multi-generational communications?
No way.
However, if we AIM (i.e., are Accountable, Intentional, and have Measurable outcomes) with positive intent and self-awareness, then we will have a greater chance of achieving long, deep, and lasting relationships.
Are your multi-generational communication activities ever misunderstood and/or ineffective? Do you need proactive strategies to improve your employee engagement and/or leadership alignment?
As always, I’m here as a resource. Contact me at dlandry@authentizity.com.
— Dawn F. Landry
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