“What did you say?” Improving Intergenerational Communications

Welcome... Identify Your Generation: – Traditionalist(Before 1946) – Baby Boomer(1946 – 1965) – Generation-X(1966 – 1986) – Millennials(1987 –Present) One Perceived Misunderstanding About Your Generation. 7/18/20122

Objectives Objectives Define the key attributes of each generation (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation-X, & Millennials). Define the key attributes of each generation (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation-X, & Millennials). Identify how our internal influences affect our perceptions working with other generations Identify how our internal influences affect our perceptions working with other generations Identify the most appropriate communication tool to use based on the situation (based on content of communication and who is receiving) Identify the most appropriate communication tool to use based on the situation (based on content of communication and who is receiving) Apply concepts in different situations Apply concepts in different situations 7/18/20123

Agenda Welcome & OverviewWelcome & Overview Bringing Out the SubconsciousActivity: Bringing Out the Subconscious “Meet the Generations”“Meet the Generations” My Actions, My CommitmentMy Actions, My Commitment 7/18/20124

…While we flatter ourselves that things remain the same, they are changing under our very eyes from year to year, from day to day Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Author

Bringing Out the Subconscious 7/18/20126 Traditionalist Baby Boomer Generation – X Millenials Identify what you have heard or have been told about each generation Write descriptors on your handout Post the sticky notes in the defined area There are no RIGHT or WRONG answers

Meet The Generations

Traditionalists Influences / Attributes of Traditionalists Before 1946 Before 1946 Great Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor Great Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor Saving Saving Military Service Military Service Churchill, FDR, Truman Churchill, FDR, Truman “Seen, But Not Heard” “Seen, But Not Heard” Conformists Conformists G.I. Bill G.I. Bill Hierarchy / Chain of Command Hierarchy / Chain of Command Continue to Work Continue to Work 7/18/20128

Baby Boomers Influences / Attributes of Baby Boomers 1946 – – 1965 World War II World War II Strong Economy Strong Economy The “American Culture” The “American Culture” Lots of Children Lots of Children New Schools New Schools Traditional Family Traditional Family Fads Fads Spotlight on Children Spotlight on Children Great Expectations Great Expectations Sputnik / Civil Rights Sputnik / Civil Rights HOPE!! HOPE!! 7/18/20129

Generation-X Influences / Attributes of Generation-X 1966 – – 1985 Vietnam Vietnam Weak Economy Weak Economy “Me Decade” “Me Decade” Birth Control Birth Control Outdated Schools Outdated Schools Latchkey Children Latchkey Children Sophisticated TV Sophisticated TV Choices Choices Watergate Watergate Decline of American Hero Decline of American Hero Divorce Divorce CAUTION!! CAUTION!! 7/18/201210

Millennials Influences / Characteristics of Millennials 1986 – Present 1986 – Present Have 50% More Things Have 50% More Things Cars, Beepers & Cell Phones Cars, Beepers & Cell Phones Respect Respect Babies Aboard Babies Aboard Volunteers Volunteers Fun with Parents Fun with Parents Guns in Schools Guns in Schools Behavioral-Altering Drugs Behavioral-Altering Drugs Educated / Committed Educated / Committed America Gets Richer America Gets Richer Millennial Fads Millennial Fads “Columbine” “Columbine” Community & World Action Community & World Action Fresh Start Fresh Start 7/18/201211

Communication Tools 7/18/ Communication Tool Attributes Best for which Generation

What would you do?

The Situation... A Traditionalist has joined your alumnae board. Her request is that she always be contacted by phone. The issue is that many times she is unavailable and that she has to be called multiple times. What are your suggestions to improve communication? 7/18/201214

The Situation... Lately, your chapter has decided that it is easiest to use Facebook to post information about upcoming events. You have received feedback from others that they have missed events and information. What are your suggestions to improve communication? 7/18/201215

The Situation... You have noticed that the younger members of your board have started texting during meetings. You don’t think anyone else has noticed though you are not sure. What are your suggestions to improve communication? 7/18/201216

Create Your Own Situation... As a group, create your own situation. Identify a situation that happens frequently due to a lack of communication or not using the appropriate communication vehicle. Determine different options and share with the larger group. 7/18/201217

General Considerations Respect the generations and individual needsRespect the generations and individual needs Be open to possibilitiesBe open to possibilities Consider all communication toolsConsider all communication tools Do what you say, “Walk the talk”Do what you say, “Walk the talk” Be clearBe clear Hold yourself and others accountableHold yourself and others accountable 7/18/201218

Identify commitments you will make to ensure that you are communicating effectively with all generations. Share one commitment with the group. My Actions, My Commitment 7/18/201219