The Generation Gap in the Office

Have you ever wondered if how your co-workers communicate can be due by their generation?

The technological revolution may cause conflict in the office due to the pace in which change has occurred. Baby boomers and Traditionalists think about picking up the phone first, Generation X'ers tend to use email and Millenials may use texting.

If a business plan regarding etiquette is not in place, this can cause conflict among the 4 generations. If a company is solely concerned about the appropriate communication and is dominated by one generation, it may be time to re-evaluate and consider what the client wants instead.

Embracing the differences between the generations, you will find opportunity...it's not about right or wrong, or better or worse.

The 4 Generations: Which one are you?

Traditionalists:
(ages 63 plus - 5% of today's workforce)
* loyal, have faith in institutions
* value logic ad discipline
* slow to embrace new technologies
* want to build a legacy

Baby Boomers:
(ages 44-62 - 43% of today's workforce)
* Idealistic, question authority
* Competitive, seek out titles and recognition
* wary, but open to adapting new skills
* want to build a stellar career

Generation Xers:
(ages 28-43 - 42% of today's workforce)
* skeptical, distrustful of institutions
* resourceful and self-reliant
* highly adaptive to change
* want to build a portable career

Millenials:
(ages up to 28 - 10% of today's workforce)
* realistic, value-diversity and change
* globally concerned
* have fully incorporated tech tools into life
* want to build a meaningful career

According to PriorityMagazine.com, a 2007 study found that 65% of all business executives generally prefer to communicate via email, up from 34%
just 10 years ago

Source: PrioityMagazine.com

Be Kinder With Words

Was there ever a time you forgot the power of words? Words can have an enormous power to hurt, to heal, to uplift, or degrade or make or break reputations.

Words can literally change the way we see the world and how we view the people in it. To help our words to be 'good' :

Don't gossip. Gossiping can damage the teller, the listener and the subject.
Talk about ideas instead. They can educate and stimulate. Speaking poorly of others can make us feel self satisfied, but doesn't improve one's self. Even if the gossip is true, it probably isn't your business anyway to discuss. Practicing verbal restraint and not take satisfaction in news about another. When gossip is coming your way, do your best to change the subject

Think before you speak. Do you ever ask yourself who would benefit from what you're about to say? You might hurt someone's feelings or self esteem could be damaged if you make a comment without thinking first.

Confident people sometimes even have feelings of self doubt or worries. Consider sharing a kind word or compliment or smile with not only the people you know, but with strangers you come across on a daily basis. You might brighten someone's day. Look for the good in other people rather than the negative and this will keep you from not only using negative words, but being kinder with your words.

Also remember when being kinder with words towards other, include yourself also. Don't slam yourself about your faults, weaknesses or mistakes. Use them to promote self growth and tell yourself you will do better.

Source: Beliefnet.com

Do You Follow Up?

I believe many people forget to follow up. Whether it be with a potential customer, client or friend.
Could one reason be that you feel you may come across as being annoying or perhaps you feel there really isn't a need to follow up with someone.

Have you ever made plans in advance with a friend or family member and on the date you were to meet, your plans did not go exactly the way you remembered? Was that due to not following up to confirm or to make sure you both had the same things in mind? A simple, casual follow up call after the initial conversation, would had eliminated any confusion.

If you own a business, do you follow up with all current and potential customers? Following up is the most important thing to do. After initial contact, it is important to follow up within a short period of time. With current customers, a follow up call or email to just thank them for choosing your company. Maybe consider asking them if they were satisfied with your company or ask if they have any suggestions. This will show your interest and repeat business will probably come your way.

With potential customers, a follow up to prior contact will keep your business in the back of their mind. Perhaps this potential customer has truly been too busy to give thought about your service or product. Life has a way of keeping us all busy. When receiving contact again through a follow up call, letter or email, you again have another chance to sell your services or product without sounding desperate. Maybe the first time they received contact from you, they weren't ready for your services or product, but after receiving a follow up, they realize they now need what you have to offer them.

What if you are in the market for a new job? Some job-seekers don't follow up after an interview for fear of sounding desperate or annoying. If you do it right, you will come across as interested, not desperate. Following up job leads shows prospective employers your interest in the company and position -- and gives you another chance to sell your qualifications.

When receiving a comment on blogs and/or social networks, it is just as important to follow up and respond. I was lacking in this area myself, but I believe I am doing much better with following up to comments. I never realized that not replying to a comment might be taken as a lack of interest on my part. I am very thankful when receiving a comment and now I make it a point to reply and show my thanks.

I personally have a pet peeve when friends do not follow up after I leave a message on their voicemail. I left a message, so I would receive a follow up call, right? Keeping this in mind, I make a conscious effort to follow up whenever necessary with both my personal and business dealings.

How Well Do You Communicate?

Have you ever felt communicating with someone can be difficult or challenging? or When speaking to someone, whether it be at work,home or in our personal relationships, messages can easily be misunderstood, misconstrued and mistaken for something they're not? Surely that can lead to confusion and frustration.

We have to remember people have different goals, tempers, backgrounds, perception, ideas and personal rules. I think if we keep that in the back of our minds when communicating, it will make it easier to get our point across.

A person can be successful when communicating if you have the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as your own.

Think of how many times you've said, or heard others say: "But I thought you meant...." or "I assumed you were talking about...." or "No, you've completely misunderstood what I was saying."

These little phrases come out of our mouths daily. We're so used to saying them we don't think about the wider implications: that it sometimes requires really hard work to make ourselves clear and to get ourselves understood by others.

When someone is talking to you, listen with the intent to understand first, not impose your ideas. Once that person feels heard, he or she will be open to then listen to you.

Effective communication occurs only if the receiver understands the exact information or idea that the sender intended to send. Most successful leaders have one thing in common...strong communication skills. They have the ability to effectively communicate and connect with all different types and kinds of people and personalities

How Do you rate?

Take this quiz to find out: COMMUNICATION TEST

Here's my score...

Snapshot Report

Insightfulness
_____________74 (out of 100)

Your results indicate that you are fairly adept at interpreting other people’s words and actions and seeing things from their perspective - although the rare misunderstanding may occur. Overall however, you seem to realize that empathy is an essential part of good interpersonal skills and therefore, will do your best to place yourself in other people’s shoes in order to better understand them. For the most part, you can sense what others are thinking and will likely adjust your behavior accordingly if a person you’re conversing with seems confused or perhaps uncomfortable. There may be the occasional time when you pay more attention to the message you’re sending rather than how it’s received. With some time and experience, you’ll likely be able to improve your insight even more.