Six Tips for Communicating Across Generations
The workforce of today looks quite different than it did just a few years ago. Now, organizations are comprised of a staff spanning five generations. Your next company portrait may resemble an awkward family photo with members from the Silent Generation and Boomers standing alongside Zoomers, Gen X, and Millennials. Likely, your group will appear as one big happy family. But you may be missing a critical element to ensure harmony amongst your team – the skills to successfully communicate across disparate generations. Because, let’s face it. Zoomers and Boomers have vastly different communications styles and expectations. And, we all know what happens when there’s a communications breakdown at work.
Follow the tips and tricks outlined below to make certain your team is optimizing communications.
1. Determine Communication Protocols: This sounds simple, but you’d be surprised at how many organizations have inconsistent communication protocols. For example, one department may rely only on chat functions while other departments may require users to converse over email. One department manager may insist team members access email on their phones off hours while other departments may not have this requirement. Make sure your department understands the communications protocols in place, and share those expectations with other department managers. It is important for all employees to understand expectations, and to set boundaries, for communicating both internally and with clients.
2. Personalization is key: Not everyone has the same communication style or preference. When working with a new team member or client, understand how that individual prefers to communicate – via email, slack, zoom, text, telephone (yes, some people still like to chat on the phone!), etc. Don’t assume just because a person belongs to a specific generation they like to communicate in a certain manner. Ask how best to work with that individual.
3. Use multiple communications channels: Take advantage of all the tools you have available to you to communicate with your audience. The same message you sent via email can also be shared in a short video, over instant message, via your collaboration tool, through your company intranet, on social media, and more. The more access you provide to your messaging, the more apt it is to be digested and shared by your audience.
4. Be authentic: Your communication style is what makes you unique! Even though you may be working with someone much older – or younger – you must stay true to yourself. For example, you don’t need to use slang to fit in with your younger teammates, just as you don’t need to become overly formal when working with older staff. Just be authentic and the rest will fall into place.
5. Be willing to teach and to learn: Perhaps your teammate or client prefers to communicate in a way you’re not entirely comfortable. For example, your company may use a platform a new teammate is not familiar with. Take the time to teach that individual how to be successful using your platform. Conversely, be a willing student when new technologies or methodologies are introduced. Be open to change and embrace new ideas.
6. Don’t stereotype: Boomers aren’t lame and Millennials are not lazy. It’s ok to acknowledge differences between generations, but don’t stereotype.
Communicating across generations can be challenging. Put these tips to work for your business and watch collaboration among your employees soar. Need help putting these practices to work for your team? Hékaté Communications excels at putting helping businesses revamp their internal communications strategies. Contact us today to get started.