What do you do if your communication style isn't connecting with different generations?

The key in my mind is to find a way to customize your behavior - so you adapt appropriately to the new context or communication style but also make sure not to lose yourself in the process. In other words, find a way to create a blend between what's new for you and what's authentic.

I believe the aim of communication is to convey a message from the sender to the receiver in such a way that is understood and will elicit the desired action. So, the choice of medium of communication should be such that both parties can “tune in to the same wavelength”, to borrow a radio term. So, as a sender of a message, one needs to be adaptable and flexible such that the receiver will be able to decode the message properly. Thus, the use of traditional as well as non traditional methods of communication will depend on who is being addressed.

1 Utilize a diverse range of communication channels (email, messaging apps, social media, and video conferencing) to cater to the preferences of different generations 2 Emphasize individualized communication to make each employee feel valued and understood. Personalization is vital in creating a sense of value 3 Tailor messages to resonate with specific generations, using language and platforms that align with their preferences 4 Integrate modern communication tools 5 Use Inclusive language 6 Encourage diversity and collaboration

I believe that age group is not the only factor to consider in connecting with people. It's important also to consider the context of the communication and what is the accepted norm or channels for communication. In higher education for example, the school email or connecting through the course management system like Canvas or Blackboard are the usual channels of communication between professors and students. However, for students who are the advisees of a professor, communication can be more informal, including WhatsApp and instant messages, phone or face to face communication, all of which I have personally used very effectively. Advisees also appreciate the ability to contact advisors in emergency situations without appointments.

Listening actively means also being aware of your own emotions and feelings when you are listening to someone. Taking this holistic perspective gives you more data points to increase your understanding of the other person. This is exactly so important as attention to the ton of voice and body language of the speaker. People do not communicate solely with words.

1. Learning a little more about the individual helps with communicating with different generations. It allows for the individual to share things that they are passionate about which can show ways to communicate differently. 2. Following up is a great way to let the individual know that you are listening actively. This is also starts to create trusting relationships and partnerships.

There are a lot of contributions here by the LinkedIn community that I think are useful. Just to add, I agree that listening is key. Not that you necessarily have to change your style to suit what they want, or how they want it, but to understand - as others have said - what the different people are interested in, how they interact, how they prefer to get information. Formerly as a University lecturer it took me years (and experience in age) to appreciate that different methods and styles that appeal to or benefit different people can be used without necessarily changing (totally) what you do, and often by tweaking to include more of the audience, without creating a lot of extra work.

Active listening is key to bridging generational communication barriers. Listen attentively without interruption, signaling engagement through nods or verbal cues. This demonstrates respect and understanding of others' perspectives. Paraphrasing ensures clarity and confirms comprehension. Remember, active listening extends beyond words to include non-verbal cues and emotions, fostering deeper connections across generations.

La empatía es esencial al comunicarse entre generaciones. Al ponerte en el lugar del otro, consideras su contexto histórico y cultural, lo que fortalece la relación más allá de las diferencias de edad. Reconocer las experiencias únicas de cada persona y respetar sus puntos de vista son fundamentales para una comunicación efectiva y significativa.

Empathy is vital when communicating across generations. Put yourself in their shoes, considering their historical and cultural context. Acknowledge their unique experiences to build rapport. While you don't have to agree with everything, respecting their viewpoint is essential for effective communication.

Connecting and communicating with different generations requires empathy and open-mindedness. By putting yourself in others' shoes, challenging your assumptions, and genuinely listening to their perspectives, you can foster deeper connections and mutual respect.

One thing I’ve found helpful in communicating with other generations is to find a commonality to relate to. Even though we might not have been through the same situations, there can still be a relatable link to connect on. It is important to understand that empathy is very different than sympathy and try to minimize someone’s feelings or beliefs.

In my experience, this generation wants vertical office connections and interactions. Part of improving in this area requires one party to be open to learning about the other. There is just as much value in being an “old school” boss who genuinely wants to learn how to connect with younger employees as there is to being a “youngie” who is open to learning from someone with more life experiences. That learning can manifest in many ways, whether it’s through research or through casual / impromptu conversations designed to be learning opportunities.

Generations look more like their time than their parents Educations yourself about the era each generation lived in will help Baby Boomers prefer writing memos and long face to face meetings X are good with calls or emails Y are good with short messages as DM/IM Z are good with videos Implementing mentoring and reverse mentoring will help Start open dialog where you suspend status, decision and judgement Have an open mind and practice inclusive leadership

Educating yourself about diverse generational communication styles and preferences is crucial for bridging gaps. Understand the historical, technological, and social influences shaping each group's worldview. Tailor messages accordingly, using relevant references and avoiding outdated terms. Informed communication fosters understanding and appreciation across generations.

Para cerrar las diferencias generacionales, es esencial educarse sobre los diversos estilos de comunicación y preferencias de los diferentes grupos de edad. Familiarizarse con los acontecimientos históricos, avances tecnológicos y cambios sociales que han influenciado las perspectivas de cada generación es clave. Este conocimiento facilitará ajustar los mensajes de manera que sean comprendidos y valorados. Ya sea empleando referencias que resuenen con un grupo etario específico o evitando términos anticuados, estar informado puede marcar una diferencia notable. La autodidactía y mantenerse al tanto de las herramientas de comunicación son esenciales para una interacción significativa entre generaciones.

Para além de fazer o óbvio que é manter-se flexível, buscar conhecimentos adicionais s?o necessários, para que a base técnica e prática estejam alinhadas com o que se faz necessário no momento. Buscar linhas que te fa?am refletir sobre o papel e como se faz comunica??o é necessário. N?o parar no óbvio, mas caminhar continuamente atrás do que é diferente e entender possibilidades de agregar.

consider adapting by being more open to their preferred methods, like digital communication or collaborative platforms. Flexibility and understanding go a long way in bridging communication gaps and fostering a productive work environment.

Things that I’ve found helpful are to: - Utilize various media channels and other communication methods to observe what’s working and not working. - Listen to comprehend. - Use the generational perspective and voice of those I’m trying to reach to guide the development of my work. - Conduct research and analysis. Don’t be afraid to host focus groups and develop small surveys. - Be flexible. Communication styles can change down to a granular level depending on the topic. Don’t be afraid to try new things out!

Seeking feedback on your communication efforts is invaluable. Ask if your message is clear and how you could improve. This demonstrates your commitment to enhancing interactions and values the other person's input. Feedback offers insights into how your communication is perceived across generations, guiding adjustments for better understanding and connection.

Listen deeply and meet the other person where they are. The most important thing that all humans desire is to be heard, so adapt to the style that allows that to happen best. This may look like prioritizing certain methods of communication over others (e.g. in person or phone vs. email or text). Educate yourself on common communication differences between generations. Older generations are more likely to speak at length or be willing to explore more deeply, which makes reflection and validation most effective, while younger generations often speak on shorter sentences and may not be as forthcoming, which requires more open-ended and/or closed/direct questions.

En effet, parfois la patience est essentielle, quelle que soit la génération avec laquelle on communique. Les plus anciens qui ne connaissent pas les codes et les plus jeunes, qui pensent parfois tout savoir (je l'expérimente au quotidien dans les écoles supérieures dans lesquelles j'interviens).

Patience is essential in bridging generational gaps. Effective communication takes time and persistence, with room for trial and error. Tolerate others' preferred communication methods, even if they differ from yours. Patience fosters an inclusive approach that values everyone's contributions, ultimately strengthening intergenerational dialogue.

Just like with most skills, practice is key. The more one converses and connects with people from other generations the easier it becomes. If we avoid the pain of practice we will never improve in making connections.

One thing I found helpful is that you really need to care about communicating properly across the different persons and their styles of getting information and giving feedback to you. If you care and your approach is helpful and they understand that the feedback will be used to improve then you’ll see that engagement will improve and if you apply what you have learned, it is important that they will now see by your demonstration of implementing what you got from them that you cared enough to try. It’s OK to inform everyone involved that you are trying to explore other ways to improve communication and you might find that they would trust the process with you better.

Honestly I think coming clean and acknowledging the differences in communication style is the first step. I think trying too hard to adapt and change communication styles will fall flat. If you acknowledge it first, then you can maybe even laugh about it - and then figure out how to move forward in a collaborative way.

I think we often get caught up in worrying about how others percieve us or what they might think of us. However, I believe that if we shift our focus to how we make people feel and focus on creative positive, meaningful interactions, we can bridge any generational gap. It's about the emotional connection, not just the message

If you are struggling to communicate with others in your work team due to generational differences, consider team building activities where you explore each other's areas of common ground. For example, who owns a dog, has a sister, loves baking? These things can seem trivial, but can be the basis of building trust and relationships regardless of generation.