Communication WithinWhy is it so difficult?

Consulting

Four Generations in the workplaceAt the same time!

For the first time in History….

1945 or earlier Traditionals

1946 - 1964 Boomers

1965 - 1976 Generation X’ers

1977-1990(or beyond)

If you were born….

Generation Y or

Millennials

TRADITIONALS

BOOMERS

GEN X’ers

MILLENNIALS

WORKFORCE TODAY15%

50%

30%

5%

ANTICIPATED CHANGES ?

The single largest problem in any practice……..

Why ?

CommunicationQuestion

WE REMEMBER

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we see and hear

70% of what we discuss with others

80% of what we personally experience

95% of what we teach others

The way that we communicate is dictated by the culture in which we grew up…..

Things that Influence us

Communication

T F ?

attitudes behaviors

expectations habits

motivational buttons

What influences us ?historic events

Traditionals……..What Happened ?

Influential Events ?

WW II Atomic Age

Rock and Roll

What else???

Traditionals……..Respect their values & beliefs which are

probably much more Conservative thanyours

Loyal - Respectful

Several wars – everything changed

Most have worked very hard jobs

BoomersInfluences ?First Nuclear Power PlantViet Nam War

Civil Rights ActMoon Landing

BoomersVery strong work ethicOpt for a reasonable approachCompromisePre-technology had to learn Largest group in work forceMost educated

Gen X’ers

Influences ?

Rise of the PC

Desert Storm

Valdez Oil Spill

Economic Uncertainties

Gen X’ers

Value efficiency

Want a balance with work

and personal life

Independent

Resilient

Adaptable

Millennials

Influences ?

Social Media

Google

Columbine

Parental

Relationships

MillennialsLots of energy

Technology - an integral part

Active Social Lives

Want to prove themselves

Very open minded

Go Getters want to move forward

Quickly ! Specific Instructions

Millennials

No memory of a sound economy

Always been at war

Future is Uncertain

Goal oriented

Unknowns

Conceptionsthe way in which something

is perceived or regarded

TABLETTraditionals X’ers & Millennials

I-PADTraditionals X’ers & Millennials

CHALLENGES ?TRADITIONALS ?

BOOMERS ?GEN X’ers ?

MILLENNIALS ?

your thoughts……….?

Take Aways ?

We are all Different

We need to respect others view points

Strengths and Weaknesses

Take Aways ?

What About Teams ?

Every member contributes

Take advantage of the synergies !

CommunicationChallenges

SHOULD YOU COMMUNICATE BASED ON GENERATIONAL BACKGROUNDS ?

YES NOVery Carefully…

Learn to communicate with the different generations and you can eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings in the workplace and world of business

HOW ? 1 2 3 4

GENERATIONS

Exercise in Communication

Techniques

Pick a Partner(A & B)

Identify their Generation (to yourself)

Describe the gift box

Don’t tell them what is inside

Partner opens box

Describes to you what is in the box

Tells you why they are delighted with the gift

Pre-conceived notion of what was in the box

“B” had a slight advantage

This forced “A” to make an adjustment

Communication ?

Was this a good exercise ?

Why or Why Not?

Tell me about your

communication…….

TraditionalsBoomers

Gen X’ersMillennials

???????

Report Card

COURSE GRADE

• English 104

• Math 115

• Gym 105

• Spanish 112

• Geography 103

G.P.A. 4.2 !

EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY!

The team finished dead last!

CORE VALUES

TRADITIONALSRespect for authorityConformersDiscipline

BOOMERSOptimismInvolvement

GEN X’ersSkepticismFunInformality

MILLENNIALSRealismConfidenceExtreme FunSocial

FAMILY

TRADITIONALSTraditionalNuclear

BOOMERSDisintegrating

GEN X’ersLatch Key Kids

MILLENNIALSMerged Families

EDUCATION

TRADITIONALSA Dream

BOOMERSA Birthright

GEN X’ersA Way to Get There

MILLENNIALSAn Incredible Expense

COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA

TRADITIONALSRotary PhonesOne-on-oneWrite a Memo

BOOMERSTouchtonePhonesCall me Anytime

GEN X’ersCell PhonesCall me only at work

MILLENNIALSInternet Picture phonesE-mailTexting

DEALING WITH MONEY

TRADITIONALSPut it AwayPay Cash

BOOMERSBuy now, Pay Later

GEN X’ersCautiousConservativeSave, Save, Save

MILLENNIALSEarn to Spend

TRADITIONALSHOW WILL YOU INCENTIVIZE THEM ?

SATISFACTION IN A JOB WELL DONE

WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK WORKS ?

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS !

TRADITIONALSWHAT MESSAGE MOTIVATES THEM ?

YOUR EXPERIENCE IS RESPECTED

WHAT IS THEIR STYLE ?

INDIVIDUAL !

BOOMERSHOW WILL YOU INCENTIVIZE THEM ?

TITLE

WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK ?

DON’T NECESSARILY WANT IT !

RECOGNITION

BOOMERSWHAT MESSAGE MOTIVATES THEM ?

YOU ARE VALUED - YOU ARE NEEDED

WHAT IS THEIR STYLE ?

TEAM PLAYER LOVE MEETINGS !

GEN X’ersHOW WILL YOU INCENTIVIZE THEM ?

FREEDOM IS THE BEST REWARD

WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK ?

THEY CRAVE IT !

GEN X’ersWHAT MESSAGE MOTIVATES THEM ?

DO IT YOUR WAY

WHAT IS THEIR STYLE ?

ENTREPRENEURIAL

FORGET THE RULES

MILLENNIALSHOW WILL YOU INCENTIVIZE THEM ?

MEANINGFUL WORK

WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK ?

WHENEVER I WANT IT, I GET ITAT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON !

MILLENNIALSWHAT MESSAGE MOTIVATES THEM ?

YOU WILL WORK WITH OTHER BRIGHT, CREATIVE PEOPLE

WHAT IS THEIR STYLE ?

PARTICIPATIVE

The Scrub ChallengeThe physicians in the practice have mandated that all will wear uniforms at work. In order to see that everyone is happy with the outcome, you put together a multigenerational team to investigate the possibilities and make recommendations to management so that a policy can be written.

The Scrub Challenge

The deadline comesand nothing has happened….

The Scrub Challenge

What do you do ?

The Scrub Challenge1. Disband the team and make a decision yourself

as to what will be worn and write the policy ?

2. Disband the team and appoint a new one with the same mission ?

3. Meet with the original team and mandate that they get it done by a new deadline ?

4. Go back to the physicians and explain that it has not gone well and they perhaps should re-consider ?

Why do you suppose the problems occurred ?

What could you have done to avoid this ?

COMMUNICATION…….

George Bernard Shaw

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

COMMUNICATION…….The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate.

Joseph Priestly

How can we be sure that communication has actually taken place ?

To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.

Tony Robbins

The Bottom LineIn order to be a success at your job, you must be able to communicate…. effectively !

The Bottom Line

Communication has become much more difficult in the past 10-15 years

The Bottom Line

It is imperative that you be willing to look at things through the other persons eyes!

The Bottom LineYou must consider approaching people on a level where they will feel comfortable

The Bottom Line

When assigning duties or hiring for new positions, understand where they are coming from and make every effort to assign them to a role where they will be fulfilled.

Steven R. Robinson, COE, FASOA

S RConsulting&

steve@srr2.com 423-316-3934

TRADITIONALS BOOMERS GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALS

Core Values Respect for Authority Involvement Informality Extreme FunConformers Optimism Skepticism RealismDiscipline Fun Confidence

Social

Family Traditional Disintegrating Latch-key kids Merged FamiliesNuclear

Education A Dream A Birthright A way to get An Incredible ExpenseThere

Communication Rotary Phones Touch-tone phones Cell Phones InternetMedia One-on-one Call me Anytime Call me only at Smart Phones

Write a memo Work EmailTexting

Dealing with Put it Away Buy now, pay later Cautious Earn to SpendMoney Pay Cash Conservative

Save, save, save

1920-1945 1946-1964 1065-1980 1981-2000

TRADITIONALS BOOMERS GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALSWork Ethic Hard Work Workaholics Eliminate the task What’s NextAnd values Respect Authority Work efficiently Self reliance Multitasking

Sacrifice Crusading causes Want Structure & TenacityDuty before fun Personal Fulfillment direction EntrepreneurialAdhere to the rules Desire Quality Skeptical Tolerant

Question Authority Goal OrientedWork is……. An Obligation Exciting adventure Difficult challenge Means to an end

A Contract Fulfillment

Leadership Style Directive Consensual Everyone is the same *TBDCommand & Control Collegial Challenge Others

Ask Why

Interactive Style Individual Team Player Entrepreneur ParticipativeLoves to have mtgs

Communications Formal Memo In person Direct – Immediate Email voice mail

Feedback & No news is good news Don’t appreciate it Sorry to interrupt, but Whenever I want Rewards Satisfaction in a job Money how an I doing? It, at the push of

well done Title Recognition Freedom is the best a buttonReward Meaningful Work

TRADITIONALS BOOMERS GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALS

Messages that Your experience is You are valued Do it your way You will work with Motivate Respected You are needed Forget the rules other bright,

creative people

Work and Family Ne’er the two will No Balance Balance BalanceLife meet Work to five

1920-1945 1946-1964 1065-1980 1981-2000

Top 50 Most Popular Text Terms used in Business

AFAIC - As Far As I'm ConcernedASAP - As Soon As PossibleBHAG - Big Hairy Audacious GoalBOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes AgainCLM - Career Limiting MoveCYA - Cover Your Ass -or- See YaDD - Due DiligenceDQYDJ - Don't Quit Your Day JobDRIB - Don't Read If BusyEOD - End Of Day -or- End Of DiscussionEOM - End Of MessageEOT - End Of Thread/Text/TransmissionESO - Equipment Smarter than OperatorFRED - F***ing Ridiculous Electronic DeviceFUBAR - F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition (or Repair)FYI - For Your InformationGMTA - Great Minds Think AlikeHIOOC - Help, I'm Out Of CoffeeIAITS - It's All In The SubjectIANAL - I Am Not A LawyerKISS - Keep It Simple StupidLOPSOD - Long On Promises, Short On DeliveryMOTD - Message Of The DayMTFBWY - May The Force Be With YouMYOB - Mind Your Own Business

50 most used texting shortcuts

NRN - No Reply NecessaryNSFW - Not Safe For WorkNWR - Not Work RelatedOTP - On The PhoneP&C - Private & ConfidentialPDOMA - Pulled Directly Out Of My AssPEBCAK - Problem Exists Between Chair And KeyboardPITA - Pain In The AssQQ - Quick Question -or- Cry MoreRFD - Request For DiscussionRFP - Request For ProposalSBUG - Small Bald Unaudacious GoalSME - Subject Matter ExpertSNAFU - Situation Normal, All F***ed UpSSDD - Same Sh** Different DaySTD - Seal The Deal, Save The Date, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Stuff To DoSWAG - Scientific Wild Ass Guess -or- SoftWare And GiveawaysTBA - To Be AdvisedTBD - To Be DeterminedTWIMC - To Whom It May ConcernTIA - Thanks In AdvanceWIIFM - What's In It For MeWOMBAT - Waste Of Money, Brains And TimeWTG - Way To Go

50 most used texting shortcuts