Communication Across Generations

Edith Johnston PhD LPCHow To Life Consultants, LLC

Erin WrightCommunication & Development,

Crested Butte Music Festival

Welcome

Generation Overview

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials Generation ZYears 1930 to 1946 1947 to 1964 1965 to 1984 1985 to 1994 1995 to 2012

Current Age 87 to 71 70 to 53 52 to 33 32 to 23 22 to 4

People Bob Dole Oprah Winfrey George Clooney Ashton Kutcher Kylie JennerElizabeth Taylor Bill Gates Jennifer Lopez Serena Williams Elle Fanning

Internet at Age 49 to 65 31 to 48 11 to 30 1 to 10 0

Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials

Understanding Perspectives

EXPERIENCE

Intergenerational Communication and Technology

PhoneYes: The only way to do businessNo: Invasion of privacyNot Sure: Easier to understand nuance

TextYes: Ease and convenienceNo: What’s that? UnprofessionalNot Sure: Difficult on small keyboard

EmailYes: Very clear + always have recordNo: Difficult to understand nuanceNot Sure: Respond when convenient

Perceptions of Methods:

55+ 25 to 34Phone: 12% 10%Email/Text: 28% 35%Face to Face: 60% 55%

What Do People Prefer?

If you’re not sure - just ask:What is the best way for me to

connect with you?

How to Connect Effectively:

1. Tell Millennials (everyone) to read the entire email.

2. If it’s short, text.

3. Use bullet points to break up and organize your information.

4. Be flexible! Adjust your style and methods to whom you are communicating.

Workplace, Productivity, Outcomes, Cohesive Team

Communication

DeBono’s Thinking Hats: Mindset and Cohesiveness White Hat

White is neutral and objective. The white hat is concerned with objective facts and figures.

Red Hat Red suggests anger (seeing red), rage and emotions. The red hat gives the emotional view.

Black Hat

Black is somber and serious. The black hat is cautious and careful. It points out the weaknesses in an idea.

Yellow Hat

Yellow is sunny and positive. The yellow hat is optimistic and covers hope and positive thinking.

Green Hat

Green is grass, vegetation, and abundant, fertile growth. The green hat indicates creativity and new ideas.

Blue Hat Blue is cool, and it is also the color of the sky, which is above everything else. The blue hat is concerned with control, the organization of the thinking process, and the use of other hats.

YOUR TURN

Essential in working together is UNDERSTANDING and ACCEPTANCE of

individual perspectives.

THANK YOU!