Communication in the Workplace

1. Communication in the Workplace Susan Hays, MA/HRM Mariposa Consulting NCMA Winter Education Conference February 23, 2007

2. Miscommunication is the Norm

3. “Nowhere in the workplace do our differences show up more dramatically than in the area of communication. Although the words are the same, the meaning can be completely different. Misinterpretation is so common and consistent that eventually we develop limiting perspectives with each other.” - Dr. John GrayMars and Venus in the Workplace

4. History of the Workplace • Late 1880’s - By Men, for Men • 1920’s - Women Enter Workforce • 1930’s- 1940’s - Wartime • 1950’s - Women Stay in the Workforce • 1960’s - Women Begin Rise to Management • 1970’s-1980’s - Equal Representation • 1990’s - Women CEO’s • 2000’s - Who Knows?

5. Task-Oriented Solution-Based Direct Pattern Linear Sequence Logical Progression 1 Reason to Talk Don’t Share Personal Info Not Comfortable w/ Emotions Don’t Take Things Personally Lunch= Food Men in the Workplace

7. Lengthy Problem Discussion Not Moving from Analyzing to Solving Not Having a Written Plan of Action Not Respecting His “Cave” Revisiting Past and Recurring Mistakes Emotional Displays Male Stressors

8. Bottom Line It Don’t Ask Too Many Questions Use Direct Communication Stick to the Facts Use “Would You” Rather Than “CouldYou” Praise Publicly Correct Privately Creating Rapport with Men in the Workplace

9. Relationship-Oriented Task-Oriented Circular Pattern Create Consensus Sense of Community Tend to Take Things Personally Lunch=Talking Women in the Workplace

11. Forced to Get to the Point Without First Building Consensus Being Interrupted Having Thoughts Finished Shared Feelings Interpreted as Complaining Lack of Community Unequal Pay Female Stressors

12. Listen Intently Don’t Interrupt Don’t Finish Her Sentence Realize that Small Talk Builds Trust Don’t Interpret Sharing as Complaining Compliment Publicly, Correct Privately Creating Rapport with Women in the Workplace

13. The Pace Palette Score Card and Group Exercise

14. The Four Communication Styles • GREEN – Logical, Analytical • YELLOW – Structured, Processes • BLUE – Ideas, People, Feelings • RED – Risk-Takers, Entrepreneurial

15. Insatiable Curiosity Loves to Analyze, Investigate Nonconforming, Independent Classic Finisher Stringer Cool, Aloof Must Respect You Understands Rank Both Visual & Auditory Learners GREEN TRAITS

16. Bottom Line It Quickly! Offer Logical Solutions Stick to Facts, Don’t Generalize Be Ready to Prove Your Point Be Creative, Never Outlandish Hold Your Ground Show How Your Ideas Mesh With Theirs How to Talk toGREENS

17. Structured Detail-Oriented Classic Finisher Stringer Tactile Learner Responsibility Strong Urge to Conserve Respect Must be Earned Loyal, Punctual YELLOW TRAITS

18. BE ON TIME! Be Structured, Organized Clear, Direct Well-Planned Courteous Your Idea Must Be Sound, Have Merit Establish Rules & Guidelines Avoid Abstracts & Generalities How to Talk toYELLOWS

19. Not Detail-Oriented Flexible, Adaptable Good With Words Great Listeners Classic Starter Global Thinker Recognition & Acceptance Great Motivators Highly Cooperative Visual/Tactile Learners BLUE TRAITS

20. Good Eye Contact Keep Ideas People-Related Show How Your Ideas Can Make a Difference “Let’s Win” Climate Keep Open Posture Encourage Exchange of Ideas How to Talk to BLUES

21. Action-Oriented Risk-Takers Easily Bored Classic Starter Global Thinker Crave Attention Highly Competitive Don’t Over-Talk Visual/Tactile Learners RED TRAITS

22. Bottom Line It Go Directly to Summation Talk Quickly Discuss Immediate Benefits Keep Ideas Fun, Creative, & Experiential Use Humor Don’t Repeat Yourself How to Talk toREDS

23. Multi-GenerationalWorkforce • Traditionals – Born before 1946 • Baby Boomers- Born 1946-1965 • Generation X – Born 1965-1980 • Generation Y- Born 1980 - Present

24. Oldest Group Mickey Mouse, “Wheaties”, Babe Ruth, Lone Ranger WWII Most Patriotic Most Loyal Respect Authority Duty before Pleasure Willing to Wait Best Collective Work Ethic Foolish to Let Them Slip Away Traditionals Born Before 1946

25. Largest Group Captain Kangaroo, Fallout Shelters, Peace Sign, “Laugh In”, TV Dinners, Vietnam Live to Work Highest Paid Jobs Short on Funds Willing to Go Into Debt Optimistic Preserve Youth, Nostalgic Baby Boomers 1946-1965

26. Late 20-30 Something's Raised on TV, Sesame Street, VCR’s, MTV, Microwaves, PC’s Work to Live Finished College in Recession Skeptical, Cynical Suffered During Downsizing Least Loyalty Will Remain Only if Opportunities Exist Desire Versatility Generation X 1965-1980

27. Youngest Group Barney, Cell Phones, Pagers, Internet, X Games Question Everything Rely on Technology Live in the Moment Money=Immediate Consumption Want to be Seen, Heard Want Clear Expectations Demonstrate Respect Only after Being Shown Respect Most Diverse See Little Value in History Generation Y or “Why?” 1980- Present

28. Generational Themes Center for Generational Studies

29. Questions?

30. References • Men and Women in the Workplace, Male and Female Stressors, How to Create Rapport in the Workplace: Gray, Dr. John, “ Mars and Venus in the Workplace,” (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) • The Pace Palette: The Pace Organization (San Diego, 1997) • Multi-Generational Statistics: Wendover, Dr. Robert (Center for Generational Studies, Aurora, CO) • “Baby Boomers Turning 50 Must Have Hard Facts,” Business Review: (Albany) October 11, 1996 by Maria S Yamin • “Baby Boomer Facts You May Not Know” –www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Boomers/5-12-12BoomerFacts.htm