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Here’s how you can effectively communicate with your millennial and Gen Z coworkers in the multigenerational labor force.
[Photo: Vane Nunes/Adobe Stock]
The modern workforce includes baby boomers, generation X, millennials, and Gen Zers. And it can often feel as if each group is speaking a different language. While workplaces used to rely on formal office jargon, today, casual chat is just as common.
Being able to communicate with a wide range of generations effectively is a vital part of fostering a long successful career. And it is especially important to know how to communicate with younger generations. According to Johns Hopkins University, millennials currently comprise around 38.6% of the workforce and by 2030, Gen Z will constitute about 30% of the workforce.
But what many do not realize is that millennial and Gen Z workers differ significantly. So the next time you sit down with young colleagues, here’s how you can ensure the conversation goes smoothly:
Transparency and honesty
When it comes to both millennials and Gen Zers, honesty is the best policy. A recent study found that open and transparent leadership is one of the top three qualities that both generations look for in an employer.
Older millennials, in particular, can be slow to trust—likely owing to the fact they entered the workforce during the 2008 financial crisis, when dishonesty in the banking sector dominated the news cycle.
So don’t expect older millennials to “just take your word for it.” You need to come prepared to the conversation with facts, data, and proof that helps them to feel confident you’re being truthful.
Meaningful conversation
Millennials don’t mind conversation—as long as it’s in-depth and purposeful. But if there’s one thing this generation hates, it’s unnecessary meetings. So don’t block time off on their calendar if an email would suffice.
Despite being a predominantly digital generation, Gen Zers aren’t impartial to deep discussions either. However, when communicating with Gen Z you should make sure to be especially present in the conversation. Some 96% of Gen Z employees say it’s vital that they feel valued, included, and empowered at work. If you’re constantly checking your phone or going silent while you answer an email, younger employees will take it as a sign that you don’t truly value their input.
Communication channels
When it isn’t practical or possible to communicate face-to-face, email is the preferred workplace communication channel for most millennials.
Gen Zers, on the other hand, prefer to use instant messaging platforms such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. Out of the office, they prefer to consistently chat via apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat.
But whatever you do, don’t pick up the phone and call them unexpectedly. Chances are they won’t pick up anyway. In fact, one survey found that 60% of Gen Zers “dread” accepting a phone call. For Gen Z workers, the unpredictability of not knowing who is calling and for what reason raises their anxiety. So if calling is an absolute must, the least you can do is drop them a message warning them of when you will call and what you hope to discuss.
Out-of-hours communication
For millennials, receiving work calls and messages outside of their contracted hours is just part of the job. Some 38% of millennials feel there’s never an inappropriate time for their manager to contact them, more than any other demographic. Constantly striving to climb the corporate ladder, an urgent email after 5 p.m. won’t prompt them to search for a new employer. In fact, many millennials like the flexibility of working when they want to and integrating work into their lives, rather than setting a clear boundary between the two.
In contrast, Gen Z often get stereotyped as being difficult to work with in part because many Gen Z workers are simply unwilling to put their work above all else. One survey found that 7 out of 10 of Gen Z workers prioritize family and relationships over their career. However, Gen Zers can be flexible when needed: 37% say they would sacrifice hobbies, and 34% would give up social time for a pay raise. So if it’s truly urgent, wait until 9 a.m. to contact your Gen Z coworker. But understand that they may come to expect extra compensation.
Formality and language
Gen Zers prefer to keep communication casual and they won’t change who they are to suit the workplace. If you want to communicate with them effectively, you need to learn their language. Study their slang, learn their acronyms, and brush up on your use of emojis. Digital lingo is a must, but there’s a fine line between cool and cringe.
Millennials sit somewhere in between the casualness of Gen Z and the more proper generations before them. Most millennials are happy to follow the formal ways of the workplace, but they won’t put it ahead of efficiency. They’re used to accessing information quickly, so don’t be offended if your “best regards” at the end of an email isn’t reciprocated.
Both millennials and Gen Z workers have their own unique ways of communicating. Their casual and direct conversation can be mistaken for a lack of professionalism, but I believe this is an oversimplification. Ultimately, so long as they get the work done, your job as a leader or coworker is to collaborate and engage team members of all generations. The key is to figure out how to engage each generation and ensure that they’re happy in their role and working to their fullest.
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