Communicating With the Younger Generation—Are They Different?
Source: Partner’s Report
This article is based on a presentation by Bill Reeb at the Association for Accounting Administration national practice management conference.
Reeb says young people are not so different from older generations. What is different is the environment. What used to be said about the young people of the 1960’s and 1970’s is similar to what is now being said about Generation Y. Young people want to work hard, but the family support is not the same. Grandmothers aren’t as available to care for a sick child or help with errands. And more families have two wage earners. This is why flexibility is so important.
Understanding this is the first step in good communication. Other factors include:
- Learn to listen. Communicating is a two-way street. Don’t be getting ready to talk while you are listening.
- Don’t interrupt. Ask questions and let them answer.
- Be aware of the importance of body language. Where is the person looking when talking to you? How loud and fast does he or she talk? What distance does he or she maintain from you?
- Make regular eye contact.
- When communicating with people, make it about them, not you.
- Make people feel that their views are important.
- Work together to correct errors rather than trying to place blame. Criticize the action, not the person.
- Understand gender barriers.
- Men:
- Focus on winning.
- Operate in a hierarchy.
- See competition as positive.
- Are taught to be unemotional.
- Are taught that bending the rules is OK.
- Women:
- Were socialized without strong rules (playing house, for example).
- Focus on friendship not competitiveness.
- Focus on equity and sharing.
- Are taught to be in touch with their emotions.
- Men:
The following chart is reprinted with permission:
For the complete article, click here.
From Partner’s Report—the Monthly Update for CPA Firm Owners, September 2008, p. 1, "Increasing Margins: Communication: Why it is the Secret to Boosting Productivity and Profits."
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