Effective communication is an essential part of the organizational functioning that all leaders must focus on strengthening. While there are many forms of communication in the organization, the various forms preferred by the managers are based mainly on the individual age. Communication may vary from one group to the next based on their age thus creating a generational communication gap in the organization. However, it is crucial that the organization implements a communication strategy that will ensure there is effective communication regardless of the age gap in the workplace. The major challenge that the managers have is to bridge this generational communication gap that exists between two different generation of workers. Finding a solution to this challenge requires the managers first to understand why each generation has a preference for a given form of communication to the other while at the same time assessing intergenerational communication. Assessing the various forms of communication preferred by each generation of workers is essential to understanding any bias that could exist in the use of one form or the other ( Venter, 2017 ). After making an intensive assessment, the information obtained can be crucial in uncovering the limitations of various types of communication across various generations where then appropriate action can be identified to bridge the generational communication gaps that exist.
Communication has been a significant challenge between generation X and the baby boomer because the two generations use different forms of communication. Since the introduction of technology, the method of communication amongst people has changed over time. The emergence of technology has changed the way people communicate. As a result of this, every generation uses a different method of communication thus creating a generational communication gap. While baby boomers prefer to use face to face communication, millennials, who are a digitalized generation prefer to use modern forms of technological communication ( Venter, 2017 ). A conflict arises in the communication method between these two generations because while one relies much on advanced technology for communication, the other prefers the traditional method of communication.
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Statement of the Problem
Major Question:
How can the generational communication gap be bridged in the workplace?
Sub-questions:
Why does a generation make a preference for one method of communication over another?
What is the cause of communication problem between one generation and the other?
Why are generations successful in communicating within their generations?
What are the forms of communication currently preferred by companies?
Is any bias created when a company chooses one method of communication over the other?
What are the necessary actions that organizations can take to minimize the generational communication gaps in the workplace?
What are the limitations of communicating in vernacular amongst the generations?
Explanation of the Project
Many organizations have a diverse workforce that is made up of people from different generations thus making communication difficult. Baby boomers prefer to use face to face communication, and this creates a conflict when then the millennial uses technological forms of communication. While each generation has their perceptions of the best form of communication, studies have shown that all these generations value technology as a way of increasing productivity. The difference is that baby boomers see no value in using technology to communicate unlike the millennial. In order to avoid bias, the management must identify better ways to minimize this gaps in a way that one generation may not feel discriminated. Each generation prefers to use one mode of communication over the other because of what they perceive.
Other generations view baby boomers as people who lack knowledge in technology, and that is why they prefer the traditional forms of communication. This generation has a lot of difficulty in adapting to the new technology, and they prefer to read manual documents rather than get it from the internet. Generations X and Y, on the other hand, are born in the digital age where internet is the way to go. To them, using manual forms of communications seems a waste of time because they believe it is slow. They prefer to use the internet such as social media and video conferencing to communicate. When an organization chooses one mode of communication over another, it may seem to be biased to one generation whose communication mode has not been adopted. This has since become a significant challenge calling for the need to minimize the communication gaps between the generations.
Review of Methodology
Various methods were used to get the answers to the sub-questions of the research on the generational communication gaps. Many studies have been done on areas related to communication differences between different generations. Analysis of these studies was done to provide a broader understanding of the communication between different generations in the workplace. Surveys were also used where the sub-questions were asked to the different generations of workers and the way they use technology. Questionnaires were used to collect the data from employees in various organizations so that their view of communication gaps in the organizations could be analyzed.
Summary of Results
Why does a generation make a preference for one method of communication over another?
What individuals have gotten used to when communicating with other people determine their preference for the mode of communication. Before technology came, people were used to face-to-face communication, and this makes the baby boomers prefer this method. Those born in the digital age prefer to use technologically oriented modes because that is what they are used to.
What is the cause of communication problem between one generation and the other?
Preferences in the modes of communication are the primary cause of problems in communication between one generation and the other. While the baby boomers prefer face to face communication, generation X and Y prefer modern technological forms thus creating a problem.
Why are generations successful in communicating within their generations?
People in the same generations use the same mode of communication thus eliminating any conflict in the choice of the mode. They use the same method of communication which is deemed to suit their communication needs.
What are forms of communication currently preferred by companies?
Many organizations apply multiple media platforms to have a broader reach. However, for teamwork and collaboration, most firms prefer to use digital networks to improve efficiency and promote growth. It is emerging that some organizations are using both the traditional as well as the digital forms to reach all the generations.
Is any bias created when a company chooses one method of communication over the other?
Majority of those who participated in the survey said that there is bias when an organization uses one mode over the other. Everyone wants their method to be adopted, and this creates a feeling of biasness should their preferred mode of communication fail to be adopted.
What are the necessary actions that organizations can take to minimize the generational communication gaps in the workplace?
Majority of the respondents suggested that using a combination of communication modes which fits all the generations is the best action to minimize the gaps. Using both digital communication, emails, letters and face to face communication were preferred by the majority of the respondents.
What are the limitations of communicating in vernacular amongst the generations?
In the survey, the majority of the respondents stated that using vernacular to communicate could result in communication gaps due to the diverse workforce. Organizations have a diversified workforce and using vernacular could hinder communication amongst employees.
Relationship of the Research to the Field
While some of the findings supported the research, some findings contradict the research. Unlike the findings which state that using a combination of both face to face and digital forms of communication can minimize the gaps, research has shown that the key to bridging this gaps is for every generation to be open-minded ( Hartman & McCambridge, 2011 ). Baby boomers need not view millennials as a threat, and the millennials need to see baby boomers as laggards. Creation of this mutual understanding, respect, and an open mind can create a positive communication and eliminate the gaps. Research suggests that baby boomers should respect the millennials and be receptive to the new ideas of embracing technology. Millennials, on the other hand, should show empathy and teach the baby boomers the latest technology and not see them as technological ignorant. This strategy when adopted, will see a mutual understanding and end to communication gaps.
Discussion of the Results
The findings provide significant knowledge in various areas concerning the generational communication gaps. Generations prefer one mode of communication over the other because of what one has been used to at the time of birth. Those born during the technological era will prefer digital communication. This finding is significant in understanding why each generation prefers to use one mode over the other. The major problem of generational communication is on the different preference on the best method to use while communicating because each group has its preferred mode. This finding is important to the managers of the organization while choosing the preferred mode of communication that will be received by all generations. The results also add more knowledge on the importance of having organizations use a combination of different modes of communication so that every generation is accommodated. This will help companies bridge the communication gaps that exist between different generations.
Conclusion
While every generation will prefer their mode of communication, no one mode is superior to the other. A mutual understanding between the employees of both generations is the first step to bridging the gap that exists in communication. Management must take into consideration the communication concerns of every generation by using a combination of various modes to eliminate the perception of biasness. Utilizing both face-to-face, mail, letters, memos and digital modes of communication will accommodate the communication needs of all the generations, and this will bridge the communication gaps. However, a mutual understanding between these generations that no one mode is superior to the other must first be created amongst the employees.
References
Venter, E. (2017). Bridging the communication gap between Generation Y and the Baby Boomer generation. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth , 22 (4), 497-507.
Hartman, J. L., & McCambridge, J. (2011). Optimizing millennials’ communication styles. Business Communication Quarterly , 74 (1), 22-44.
