How We Communicate: The Generation Gap

 Virtual vs. digital, talk vs. Tweet, Boomers vs. Millennials?

The difference in generational communication styles has generated plenty of discussion since the children of the Digital Age entered the workforce, but I’ve never seen the two opposing positions articulated as clearly and sincerely as they were in a recent Accounting Today article.

Here’s the gist of the piece:  a 30-year old and a 58 year-old were asked, “What is the best way to communicate –  digitally, or face-to-face?”

The two interviewees agreed on one point: that there’s a generation gap surrounding this issue. The 30-year old preferred e-mail because it is “more efficient.”  The 58-year old opted for face-to-face, because it is “more personal – you can read body language and tone.”

The 30-year old felt that:

1. Younger people are accepting of new technologies while old people are more reluctant.
2. Young people prefer communicating with family, friends and clients via email because it’s more efficient and maintains a good record of conversations.
3. Older people prefer face to face because they believe it keeps the client relationship on a more personal level. (Does this imply that younger people don’t feel a need to be this personal?)
4. Younger people want flexibility – they like being able to complete tasks at their own pace and choose where they work as long as they arrive at the same conclusion or deliverable.
5. Young people are more concerned with end result than the steps to get there.  Older people like to measure success by witnessing the steps completed (butts in seats).  Therefore, they have a problem with work done outside 8 to 5 or outside of office.

The 58-year old countered with:

1. Remote, typed communications can easily be misconstrued.
2. Younger people have difficulty interviewing because they are not used to face to face.
3. Technology has made us increasingly accessible  – to a fault.
4. Ultimately, the client is #1.  We need to communicate the way they prefer, so face to face OR digital can be the best.  But young people need to understand that not all of our clients are technology savvy.
5. Biggest communication difference is not technology-related; rather it regards the need to be appreciated.  The older generation was taught not to expect much recognition; younger people crave recognition.

Are we headed towards a world in which positive feedback is routinely emailed or tweeted rather than delivered personally?  A future in which a partner might never pop in on the Audit Manager and say “Hey there! Great job on the Jones audit!”

Stay tuned.