Generational
Communication Issues
Presented by Sherrell Wheeler
New Mexico State University Alamogordo
 You’re right, but I’m the boss!
 Just do your job!
 I remember when . . .
 The kid wants a promotion after
six months on the job!
 No!
 It’s five, I’m out of here!

Remembers life without a cell phone…

Remembers getting off the couch to
change the channel on the TV…

Remembers black & white TV…

Has ever owned a “vinyl record”…

Has ever owned an “8 track tape”…
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Has never owned a record player.
Can’t believe baby diapers were once made of
cloth.
Doesn’t care who shot JR.
Never thought of Jaws while you were swimming
in the sea.
Think the Vietnam War is as ancient as World
Wars I and II.
Has only known a world with AIDS.
Can understand the following: “c u b4 2nite”
 Understand
the four generations
currently in the workforce
 Understand generational differences
in key workplace dimensions
 Learn how to prepare your students
to communicate with a
representative of any generation at
their workplace
 First time to have four different
generations together in the
workforce
 Generational differences can
affect everything
 Each
generation has distinct
attitudes, behaviors,
expectations, habits and
motivational buttons.
 Each generation struggles to
understand the others.

Each generation tends to be shaped or
influenced by its environment and
experiences
 May have different meanings for the word
“employment”
 May have different communication styles

It is important to narrow any “generation
gaps” in order to work well with others
1922-1945
Traditionalists
Silent
1965-1979
Generation X
Gen X
Xers
1946-1964
Baby Boomers
1980-2000
Generation Y
Gen Y
Millennial
Echo Boomers
Family
Respect for authority
Conformers
Discipline
Traditional
Nuclear
Education
A dream
Communication Media
Rotary phones
One-on-one
Write a memo
Dealing with Money
Put it away
Pay cash
Core Values
Core Values
Optimism
Involvement
Family
Disintegrating
Education
A birthright
Communication Media
Touch-tone phones
Call me anytime
Dealing with Money
Buy now, pay later
Core Values
Family
Education
Skepticism
Fun
Informality
Latch-key kids
A way to get there
Communication Media
Cell phones
Call me only at work
Dealing with Money
Cautious
Conservative
Save, save, save
Core Values
Family
Education
Realism
Confidence
Extreme fun
Social
Merged families
An incredible expense
Communication Media
Internet
Picture phones
E-mail
Dealing with Money
Earn to spend
Work Ethic and Values
Hard work
Respect authority
Sacrifice
Duty before fun
Adhere to rules
Work is . . .
An obligation
Leadership Style
Dictatorial and rigid
Command-and-control
Interactive Style
Individual
Communications
Formal
Memo
No news is good news
Satisfaction in a job well done
Feedback and Rewards
Messages That Motivate
Work and Family Life
Your experience is respected
Ne’er the twain shall meet
Work Ethic and Values
Workaholics
Work efficiently
Personal fulfillment
Desire quality
Work is . . .
An exciting adventure
Leadership Style
Consensus-building approaches
Collegial/People oriented
Interactive Style
Team player
Loves to have meetings
Communications
In person
Feedback and Rewards
Messages That Motivate
Work and Family Life
Don’t appreciate it
Money
Title recognition
You are valued and needed
Your contribution is unique and important
No balance
Work to live
Work Ethic and Values
Flexibility - work whenever, just get it done
Self-reliance
Not looking for longevity or lifetime position
Skeptical
Work is . . .
A difficult challenge
A contract
Leadership Style
Everyone is the same
Challenge others
Ask why
Interactive Style
Entrepreneur
Communications
Direct
Immediate
Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?
Freedom is the best reward
Feedback and Rewards
Messages That Motivate
Work and Family Life
Do it your way
Forget the rules
Balance
Work Ethic and Values
Work is a way to fill time between weekends
Not likely to seek out additional responsibility
Tolerant
Goal oriented
Work is . . .
A means to an end
Fulfillment
Leadership Style
Honesty
Integrity
Team oriented
Interactive Style
Participative
Communications
E-mail
Voice mail
Whenever I want it, at the push of a button
Meaningful work
Feedback and Rewards
Messages That Motivate
Work and Family Life
You will work with other bright, creative
people
Balance

Everyone is comfort seeking

Most people resist change, but don’t like
status quo either
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Everyone wants information, to be kept “in
the loop”
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Everyone likes some level of control
We are good for each other,
Let’s challenge each other,
Let’s communicate with each other!
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Respect and acknowledge their expertise
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Follow the chain of command
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Speak positively of the organization
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Show interest in the work being done
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Appreciate their insights
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Be patient of their approach to technology
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Don’t refer to their age
Acknowledge their experience and
dedication
 Seek them out as mentors
 Find a balance between face-to-face and
technological communication
 Use them as “sounding boards”
 Focus on relationships as well as results
 Show them you can carry your share of the
load
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Acknowledge their talents and expertise
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Be clear and specific, get to the point
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Rely on technology for communicating
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Place a high premium on efficiency

Understand their need for balance

Encourage a friendly and informal work
enviroment
Acknowledge their talents and fresh
perspectives
 Be open to new and different ways to work
 Encourage and embrace technology
 Involve them in projects of significance
 Show them respect as team members
 Offer to be a mentor
 Build a fun, challenging and fast-paced work
environment
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Agency loyalty - From organizational to
individual
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Chain of command - From rigid to freedom
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Work ethic - From corporate to individual
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Workplace diversity - Gen Y is colorblind

Feedback and mentoring - Differences in
communication styles
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Know who you’re working with
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Create a climate for and of RESPECT
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Communicate openly and honestly
Use the A List
 Accept your “mutual rightness”
 Acknowledge your interdependency on
each other generation
 Appreciate what you have in common
 Assume responsibility for making your
relationships better
 Adopt the “Platinum Rule”

The “Golden Rule” (in modern terms) –
treat others the way ‘you’ want to be
treated.

The “Platinum Rule” – treat others the way
they want to be treated.