\r\n| Communicate via\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.<\/th>\r\n | Rotary phones<\/td>\r\n | Touch-tone phones<\/td>\r\n | Cellphones and pagers<\/td>\r\n | Internet Smartphones<\/td>\r\n | Social Media<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n Every generation develops expertise in communication formats and media that reflect their situational reality. For example, [pb_glossary id=\"3156\"]Traditionalists[\/pb_glossary] tend to have a more formal communication style, with strict adherence to written grammatical rules and a strong cultural structure. [pb_glossary id=\"3157\"]Baby Boomers[\/pb_glossary] tend to prefer a more informal and collaborative approach. [pb_glossary id=\"3158\"]Gen X[\/pb_glossary] communications tend to be more blunt and direct: just the facts. [pb_glossary id=\"3159\"]Millennial[\/pb_glossary] and [pb_glossary id=\"3160\"]Gen Z[\/pb_glossary] communication is technology-dependent. As an Ad Council article notes, these generations are driving a truncation of the English language, shortening words (e.g., totally<\/em> becomes totes<\/em>) and abbreviating phrases into one or two-syllable \u201cwords,\u201d which may or may not be spoken aloud (e.g., FOMO for \u201cfear of missing out\u201d and TL;DR for \u201ctoo long; didn't read\u201d). These clippings have their roots in texting language: a shorthand that\u2019s optimized for the communications media and immediate gratification expectations of mobile communication.<\/p>\r\n\r\nTexting[footnote]Adler, Max. \u201cText Messaging Statistics + Trends Updated For 2024.\u201d SMS Comparison<\/em>. January 7, 2024. https:\/\/www.smscomparison.com\/sms-statistics[\/footnote]<\/h3>\r\nTexting is a cross-generational trend\u2014something that nearly all adults in America participate in.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n \r\n\t- 97% of US Adults own a mobile phone (85% of these are smartphones).<\/li>\r\n\t
- Americans check their phones on average 96 times per day (once every ten minutes).<\/li>\r\n\t
- 95% of text messages are read and responded to within 3 minutes of being received.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>\r\n
Bridging the Generation Gap<\/h2>\r\nEach generation brings not only a frame of reference but also a set of competencies\u2014and expectations\u2014based on how they view the world and their place in it. The challenge for both businesses and individuals is that we now have five generations in the workforce. Differences in generational communication style and media are, effectively, language barriers. To the extent that individuals can\u2019t translate, the communication gaps are a hindrance to effective collaboration and the achievement of goals and objectives. The communication disconnect can also affect employee morale and productivity.<\/p>\r\n The opportunity in this situation is to leverage specific generational strengths and decrease points of friction. The best-case scenario is to create a culture and opportunities that encourage cross-generational sharing and mentoring.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n In a related trend, the model of talent management is changing. We\u2019re moving to a model of shared learning, where workers of all ages contribute to each other's growth and development.[footnote]\"2017 Global Workplace Trends.\" Sodexo<\/em>. Web. 26 June 2018. https:\/\/www.sodexo.com\/home\/media\/studies-and-reports\/newsList-area\/studies-and-reports\/2017-global-workplace-trends.html[\/footnote] Indeed, \u201cintergenerational agility\u201d is key to ensuring that both employees and employers receive meaningful benefits and unique advantages. Business benefits of intergenerational learning include increased efficiency, productivity, and competitive positioning. Two statistics that suggest the culture and communication gaps can be bridged:[footnote]\"Generations at Work.\" The Hartford<\/em>. Web. 26 June 2018. https:\/\/s0.hfdstatic.com\/sites\/the_hartford\/files\/generations-at-work.pdf[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t- 90 percent of Millennials believe that Boomers bring substantial experience and knowledge to the workplace<\/li>\r\n\t
- 93 percent of Baby Boomers believe that Millennials bring new skills and ideas to the workplace.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
The diversity of the intergenerational workplace isn\u2019t just a development\u2014it\u2019s a creative opportunity.<\/p>\r\n Professor Mariano S\u00e1nchez of the University of Granada in Spain sees the opportunity to cultivate \u201dgenerational intelligence;\u201d specifically, \u201corganizing activities that raise generational awareness, connect generations and help them work better together\u2014exchanging knowledge, ideas, skills and more to enhance the broad skill sets everyone needs in today\u2019s jobs.\u201d[footnote]\"2017 Global Workplace Trends Report.\" Sodexo<\/em>. Web. 26 June 2018. https:\/\/www.sodexo.com\/home\/media\/studies-and-reports\/newsList-area\/studies-and-reports\/2017-global-workplace-trends.html[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\nAccording to Jason Dorsey, Millenial and Gen Z researcher and co-founder of The Center for Generational Kinetics, \u201cThe key is getting each person to recognize that everyone has different communication skills that can be harnessed to best support the organization.\u201d[footnote]Zelevansky, Nora. \"Bridging the Gap at Work: Improving Intergenerational Communication.\" Coca Cola Journey<\/em>. 01 Dec 2014. Web. 26 June 2018. https:\/\/www.coca-colacompany.com\/stories\/bridging-the-gap-at-work-improving-intergenerational-communication[\/footnote] Incorporating multiple communication media in meetings and facilitating ongoing discussion\/collaboration allows members of different generations to share expertise and demonstrate their value. Selecting technology that supports multiple ways of communicating and collaborating can also leverage collective strengths and create fertile ground. For example, using a videoconferencing platform like Zoom allows participants to connect visually and participate virtually, with audio, screen sharing, and recording capabilities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n[ohm2_question height=\"500\"]14877[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question height=\"500\"]14878[\/ohm2_question]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":" Working Across Generations<\/h2>\nEach generation is a subculture with a sense of reality based on the formative world and national events, technological innovations, and socio-cultural values. To understand how that experience impacts communication, it\u2019s instructive to consider how the different generations view technology and communications media. The following examples are based on an analysis of generational differences |