Page 268 - Keys To Community College Success

Employee: “I’m upset about the email you sent me. You never talked
to me directly and you let the problem build into a crisis. I haven’t
had a chance to defend myself.”
■ Without adjustment: If the Organizer supervisor is annoyed by
the employee’s insistence on direct personal contact, he or she
may become defensive: “I told you clearly what needs to be done.
I don’t know what else there is to discuss.”
■ With adjustment: In an effort to improve communication, the
supervisor responds by encouraging the in-person exchange
that is best for the employee. “Let’s meet after lunch so you can
explain to me how you believe we can improve the situation.”

Multiple Intelligences can also provide clues about communica-
tion style. The Multiple Intelligence strategies grid for communica-
tion on page 231 provides ideas about communication strategies that
align with strengths in different intelligences.
Communication with others is essential to every
school, work, and personal goal, from team Knowing yourself is an important aspect of successful commu-
projects to study groups to bonding over lunch. nication. However, adapting to differences between yourself and
others, such as generational differences, is essential as well.

Adjust to communication styles within generations
Generations come with personal and lifestyle characteristics that can affect intergener-
ational communication. Recognizing and adapting to differences caused by generation
gaps can help you communicate successfully. Key 9.3 contains helpful communication
tips for interacting with various generations.
Although adjusting to communication styles helps you speak and listen more effec-
tively, you also need to understand, and learn how to effectively give and receive criticism.

KEY 9.3 Communicate with intergenerational awareness.

GENERATION CHARACTERISTICS COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING
Baby Boomers ■ Communication style focuses ■ Can easily misunderstand instant ■ Be open and direct (Baby Boomers
(1946–1964) on personal growth and electronic communi cation (texts, are the “show me” generation)
achievement IMs, blogs, etc.) ■ Use face-to-face or electronic
■ Political correctness ■ Uncomfortable with conflict communication
■ Inclined to use both face-to-face ■ Judgmental ■ Provide details
and electronic communication
Generation X ■ Communication style is casual, ■ Impatient ■ Use email as primary communication
(1965–1980) pragmatic, skeptical ■ Cynical ■ Ask for feedback
■ Unimpressed by authority ■ Often limits communication to ■ Keep it short to maintain their
■ Prefers email email or other noninteractive forms attention
of communication ■ Use an informational communication
style

Generation Y ■ Self-expression over self-control ■ Too much information readily ■ Use email, voicemail, and texts
(a.k.a. ■ Respect must be earned accessible ■ Communicate with visuals
Millennials) ■ Comfortable with online ■ Teaching older generations to use ■ Use humor
(1980–1994) communication technology ■ Respect their knowledge
■ Spend a lot of time online ■ Eroding sense of respect for elders ■ Encourage them to break rules when
■ Inexperienced dealing with others thinking
in person
9 *Note: The majority of people from all generations prefer face-to-face communication to written or electronic communication.
CHAPTER Source: Some information is from a table on different generations by Hammil, Greg. “Mixing and Managing Four Generations of Employees.” FDU Magazine, Win-
ter/Spring 2005. From http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm

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