Why Doesn’t My Boss Understand Me?

1. Presented by Sherrell Wheeler New Mexico State University Alamogordo Generational Communication Issues Why Doesn’t My Boss Understand Me?

2. Do These Offend You? • 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!

3. Who in 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”…

4. Who in Here? • 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”

5. People Communicate Based on Their Generational Backgrounds

6. Successful Session: • 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

7. Communication with Four Generations of Employees

8. The Power of Four • First time to have four different generations together in the workforce • Generational differences can affect everything

9. The Power of Four • Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons. • Each generation struggles to understand the others.

10. Generational Diversity • 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

11. Generation Timeline 1965-1979 1922-1945 1946-1964 1980-2000 Generation X Gen X Xers Generation Y Gen Y Millennial Echo Boomers Traditionalists Silent Baby Boomers

12. Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics - Traditionalist Core Values Respect for authority Conformers Discipline Family Traditional Nuclear Education A dream Communication Media Rotary phones One-on-one Write a memo Dealing with Money Put it away Pay cash

13. Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Baby Boomers Core Values Optimism Involvement Family Disintegrating Education A birthright Communication Media Touch-tone phones Call me anytime Dealing with Money Buy now, pay later

14. Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Generation X Core Values Skepticism Fun Informality Family Latch-key kids Education A way to get there Communication Media Cell phones Call me only at work Dealing with Money Cautious Conservative Save, save, save

15. Personal and Lifestyle Characteristics – Generation Y Core Values Realism Confidence Extreme fun Social Family Merged families Education An incredible expense Communication Media Internet Picture phones E-mail Dealing with Money Earn to spend

16. Which generation best characterizes you?

17. Workplace Characteristics – Traditionalist Work Ethic and Values Hard work Respect authority Sacrifice Duty before fun Adhere to rules Work is . . . An obligation Dictatorial and rigid Command-and-control Leadership Style Interactive Style Individual Communications Formal Memo Feedback and Rewards No news is good news Satisfaction in a job well done Messages That Motivate Your experience is respected Work and Family Life Ne’er the twain shall meet

18. Workplace Characteristics – Baby Boomers Work Ethic and Values Workaholics Work efficiently Personal fulfillment Desire quality Work is . . . An exciting adventure Consensus-building approaches Collegial/People oriented Leadership Style Interactive Style Team player Loves to have meetings Communications In person Feedback and Rewards Don’t appreciate it Money Title recognition Messages That Motivate You are valued and needed Your contribution is unique and important Work and Family Life No balance Work to live

19. Workplace Characteristics – Generation X 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 Everyone is the same Challenge others Ask why Leadership Style Interactive Style Entrepreneur Communications Direct Immediate Feedback and Rewards Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing? Freedom is the best reward Messages That Motivate Do it your way Forget the rules Work and Family Life Balance

20. Workplace Characteristics – Generation Y 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 Honesty Integrity Team oriented Leadership Style Interactive Style Participative Communications E-mail Voice mail Feedback and Rewards Whenever I want it, at the push of a button Meaningful work Messages That Motivate You will work with other bright, creative people Work and Family Life Balance

21. “We need to get the report done.”

22. Commonalities for ALL Generations • Everyone is comfort seeking • Most people resist change, but don’t like status quo either • Everyone wants information, to be kept “in the loop” • Everyone likes some level of control

23. Workplace Differences Message We are good for each other, Let’s challenge each other, Let’s communicate with each other!

24. Communicating with Traditionalist • Respect and acknowledge their expertise • Follow the chain of command • Speak positively of the organization • Show interest in the work being done • Appreciate their insights • Be patient of their approach to technology • Don’t refer to their age

25. Communicating with Baby Boomers • 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

26. Communicating with Gen X • Acknowledge their talents and expertise • Be clear and specific, get to the point • Rely on technology for communicating • Place a high premium on efficiency • Understand their need for balance • Encourage a friendly and informal work enviroment

27. Communicating with Gen Y • 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

28. People Communicate Based on Their Generational Backgrounds

29. Potential “Clash” Points • Agency loyalty - From organizational to individual • Chain of command - From rigid to freedom • Work ethic - From corporate to individual • Workplace diversity - Gen Y is colorblind • Feedback and mentoring - Differences in communication styles

30. Minimizing Friction • Know who you’re working with • Create a climate for and of RESPECT • Communicate openly and honestly

31. To Narrow the Gap Use the A List • Acceptyour “mutual rightness” • Acknowledgeyour interdependency on each other generation • Appreciatewhat you have in common • Assumeresponsibility for making your relationships better • Adoptthe “Platinum Rule”

32. What is 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.

33. Is It Really a Communication Problem?

34. Sherrell WheelerAssistant Professor of BusinessDirector of Online Quality AssuranceNew Mexico State University Alamogrodoswheeler@nmsu.edu575-439-3668