Image credti: ljleavell - ©sxc.hu/ljleavell
In the past month of covering Generation Y news and issues, one of the most requested topics has been, "how do we communicate with Generation Y?" Boomers and X'ers desperately want to know the secrets to connecting with this new generation that is just now beginning to step into the workplace.
While I will be the first to say that there is no real "right" way to communicate with Generation Y, there are a few points to keep in mind when communicating to this generation. This series on communicating with Generation Y hopes to reach out to the Boomers and X'ers to bridge the growing communication gap.
Communicating with Generation Y: be real
One of the simplest pieces of the Gen Y communication puzzle seems to be the most obvious until one takes a look at the generation s that came before and the way they communicated.
Generation Y longs for those around them, and for those who lead them, to be aboveboard and honest from the start. Guile and deception are typically rejected out of hand by Gen Y'ers, and can make the communication gap grow ever more distant.
Boomers and X'ers have a tendency to cling to formal communication, guidelines, and regulations. While this is typically a great thing for business efficiency, confidentiality, and image control, it does not speak well to Generation Y.
Generation Y can smell a fake from a mile away. They have grown up in almost an opposing stance to the scientific method and empiricism, learning from each disproven "discovery" that often what is being communicated to them is not the whole story, and they will distrust the communicator until he proves that he is "real," and that there is no intentional guile.
Tips for being real with Generation Y:
1. Don't try or pretend to know everything about their lifestyle and culture. If you are a Boomer or an X'er, embrace it. Gen Y'ers don't want to think that you are simply trying "to get in good with" them. The old adage remains true: be yourself.
2. Don't lie. Generation Y feels that they are being lied to all the time. They filter out advertisements and spin, and if they sense that you too are less than aboveboard, they will filter you out too. For right or wrong, once they feel you respect them, they will in turn respect you.
3. Avoid hidden agendas. In the corporate world, this can be very difficult. Gen Y'ers want to know the why's of what they are doing, and they will sniff them out. Hidden agendas often backfire with Generation Y, creating distrust and causing them to check out of their care and responsibility towards the topic.
4. Over-communicate. More than ever, this generation is looking for a cause to get behind. The more you communicate about your passion, mission, or drive, the more likely a Gen Y'er is to become your champion.
5. Show your weakness. Again, Generation Y is looking for a cause to get behind, not a flawless product. If your cause, business, or leadership is worthy and transparent, then your weakness can become your greatest strength.
For more Generation Y news:
Why doesn't Generation Y wear watches?
Does Generation Y still see digital media as less serious than traditional media?
8 norms about the way Generation Y thinks
Generation Y is more wary of investing than Generation X
7 characteristics of postmodernism in Generation Y
Comments
Do GenX and the boomers really want to know this? All I've seen is hostility that we don't do things they way THEY want us to. I've seen nothing that shows they have any interest in changing their ways to match ours.
Great tips
Yet all along this "trophy generation" has been told that it doesn't matter how you perform, or how you conform. Gen Y grew up with parents, teachers, and coaches who told them that as long as you participated, you were worthy of recognition. It's no wonder we respond by naturally expecting that same kind of reception in adulthood.
there's no hope for Xers and boomers to take all this seriously. Its nice that someone tries, though.
Yes, in fact, we do MK...and it's an arrogant person who assumes that we don't.
Ginny - Truly was not meant in arrogance. Just from personal experience, comments and conversations I have had that has been the response. Thanks for commenting though, it's good to know there IS interest.
Actually - MK has a point. Gen Y'ers need to grow up and realize that the world does not revolve around them. If they don't learn to commmunicate like the rest of the adult world, they are going to be in for a shocking surprise when they enter the workforce.
This IS the future though. This generation will BE the workforce very soon. You can't stop change. Embrace it and appreciate that seeking sincerity is a good thing.
The difference is, grow up, that when we look at the way Boomers and X'ers try to manipulate everything, and lie, and hide under the table, we see something that is wrong. Why on earth would you come onto an article that says for you to simply not lie or have hidden agendas, and tell US that we are wrong for wanting someone to just talk plain to us. Get off your high horse and become a human being.
Sounds like grow up is the one who needs to grow up.
See what I mean? Thanks for proving my point, growup.
What chance do we have against attitudes toward us like that.
The difference is, grow up, that when we look at the way Boomers and X'ers try to manipulate everything, and lie, and hide under the table, we see something that is wrong. Why on earth would you come onto an article that says for you to simply not lie or have hidden agendas, and tell US that we are wrong for wanting someone to just talk plain to us. Get off your high horse and become a human being.
Sounds like grow up is the one who needs to grow up.
If Gen Y is "lazy", it's only because Gen X and Boomer parents of my age made them that way. We've told them they are "all winners", and "As long as you participate, you've done well". What ever happened to the Most Valuable Player on a team? Now, the kid that does the worst or is a bench warmer gets to share in the success just as much as the best kid on the team. And, that's if a kid is lucky enough to learn to play on a team at all. Instead, most are allowed to sit in front of a tv playing video games alone instead of interacting. We complain that Gen Y doesn't know how to speak, or sound unprofessional. But, how many parents are too tired to talk to their kids, correct their speach and interact with them. I think Gen Y is an untapped resource who will blow our socks off, if we could just put our judgements of them aside and learn to accept that they are doing things their way.... just as we did things our way. Because they do them differently, doesn't mean they do them wrong. Besides... once all of us Boomer's - X'ers have retired, it'll be their world anyway, so let's try to work with them, instead of against them. We just might learn something, if we are willing to listen.
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