“what did you say?” improving intergenerational communications

PowerPoint Presentation

What did you say?Improving Intergenerational Communications

1Facilitator Preparation: Overhead projector, computer, one handout per attendee. Review presentation and facilitator notes

Optional: Flipchart and markers

Welcome . . . Identify Your Generation: Traditionalist(Before 1946) Baby Boomer(1946 1965) Generation-X(1966 1986) Millennials(1987 Present)

One Perceived Misunderstanding About Your Generation.7/18/201222State: Welcome to our session exploring the intergenerational differences in communication and how we can all improve the clarity of our communication.

State: Lets jump in and complete our first activity. Look at the overhead and identify your generation. On your handout, write down one misunderstanding you believe other generations have about your generation.

Facilitator Note: Give the attendees about 1 minute to do this, it is a quick exercise. As the attendees share their misunderstanding keep the group moving along and try to have everyone share just the misunderstanding and not to go into why or other details. This is a quick early activity to move them into thinking how perceptions of others shape our thinking and ultimately our communication.

State: Great, lets go around and I want each of you to tell me the misunderstanding you wrote down.

After everyone has shared.

State: Thank you, any surprises? (allow attendees to answer)

State: This will be our focus during our time together today. We want to learn more about the different generations, ways we currently communicate and opportunities to improve our communication. This all begins with perception and what we believe about other generations that then shapes how we perceive that generation and leads to how we communicate, either effectively or ineffectively.

State: Lets move on to our objectives. ObjectivesDefine the key attributes of each generation (Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation-X, & Millennials).Identify how our internal influences affect our perceptions working with other generationsIdentify the most appropriate communication tool to use based on the situation (based on content of communication and who is receiving)Apply concepts in different situations7/18/20123

3Facilitator Note: This is a brief slide. Read through the objectives.

State: Lets review what we will cover today.Agenda

Welcome & OverviewActivity: Bringing Out the SubconsciousMeet the GenerationsMy Actions, My Commitment7/18/201244Facilitator Note: Review the agenda. Note if anyone is new to the facility where the washrooms are located and that the session will be an hour long without a break.While we flatter ourselves that things remain the same, they are changing under our very eyes from year to year, from day to day

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Author5Facilitator Note: Read the quote.

Ask: What does this quote mean?

Facilitator Note: There is not a correct answer. You want the group to begin to consider that change is occurring constantly and we are all constantly adapting to our changing environment.Bringing Out the Subconscious7/18/20126TraditionalistBaby BoomerGeneration XMillenials

Identify what you have heard or have been told about each generationWrite descriptors on your handoutPost the sticky notes in the defined areaThere are no RIGHT or WRONG answers6Facilitator Note: Have participants write information in their handout and then debrief .

State: Digging deeper, we are going to begin to identify the different generations. Lets start with ourselves and what we have been told or heard about each generation.

State: In your handout, write items in each area that you have heard or have been told about that generation. I will give you five minutes to complete this activity, any questions? Ok Go!

Give the attendees approximately 5 minutes to complete.

State: Thank you, everyone did a great job of identifying what you have heard or been told about each generation. Lets hear from a couple of people.

Facilitator Note: Have people share so that 2-3 perceptions are shared about each generation.

State: Thank you for sharing, what is interesting is that we all have perceptions and these perceptions guide our actions. Some perceptions are accurate and some are not. Lets dive in deeper and look at an overview of each generation.

Meet The Generations7Facilitator Note: As you move into the next portion defining each generation. Read what is on each sticky note first and then move into the definition of what is on the screen. The goal of reviewing the sticky notes is to identify assumptions that are made and how this affects communication.

The goal of the next 4 slides is to share information about each generation.Influences / Attributes of TraditionalistsBefore 1946Great Depression, World War II, Pearl HarborSavingMilitary ServiceChurchill, FDR, TrumanSeen, But Not HeardConformistsG.I. BillHierarchy / Chain of CommandContinue to Work

7/18/201288Facilitator Note: Review what is on the slide and then review the sticky notes. After questions, surprises?

Ask: How might the perception that you wrote about this generation affect how you interact with Traditionalists?Influences / Attributes of Baby Boomers1946 1965World War IIStrong EconomyThe American CultureLots of ChildrenNew SchoolsTraditional Family FadsSpotlight on ChildrenGreat ExpectationsSputnik / Civil Rights HOPE!!


Ask: How might the perception that you wrote about this generation affect how you interact with Baby Boomers?

Influences / Attributes of Generation-X1966 1985VietnamWeak EconomyMe DecadeBirth ControlOutdated SchoolsLatchkey ChildrenSophisticated TVChoicesWatergateDecline of American HeroDivorceCAUTION!!


Ask: How might the perception that you wrote about this generation affect how you interact with Generation - X?

Influences / Characteristics of Millennials1986 PresentHave 50% More ThingsCars, Beepers & Cell PhonesRespectBabies AboardVolunteersFun with ParentsGuns in SchoolsBehavioral-Altering DrugsEducated / CommittedAmerica Gets RicherMillennial FadsColumbineCommunity & WorldActionFresh Start


Ask: How might the perception that you wrote about this generation affect how you interact with Millennials?

Communication Tools

7/18/201212Communication Tool

Attributes

Best for which Generation

12Facilitator Note: Optional way to conduct this discussion, have participants complete the activity individually and then build the chart on a flipchart.

State: Lets conduct a brief activity together and review the different communication tools and their best use. State: First, lets build this chart together and identify all the tools we use to communicate.EmailVoicemailPhoneFace to faceFaceBookotherAsk: Is there a tool that is missing that you use to communicate with others? (wait for answers)State: Great, as we look to the left, these are the main tools that we use in our communications. Lets identify their positive attributes, what is their best use. Lets have groups of 3-4 people work together and what I want you to do is to identify the best situations and uses for the different communication tools. Use the page in your handout to take notes so that you can share with the larger group when you are finished.

Ask: What tool is best to use for which generation? Refer to the attributes of each generation and in your group, discuss why one communication tool may be best used as opposed to another.

What would you do?13State: Lets look at a couple of different situations and determine what would be the best option.In groups of 3-4Consider each situation as it is described and determine what you believe is the best communication tool and whyShare your results with the larger group

The Situation . . . A Traditionalist has joined your alumnae board.Her request is that she always be contacted by phone.The issue is that many times she is unavailable and that she has to be called multiple times.What are your suggestions to improve communication?7/18/20121414State: As a group I will give you a couple of minutes to decide what would your suggestions be and why.

After 3-4 minutes

Ask: Who would like to share.

Facilitator Note: There is not an absolute answer, you are looking for the thought process of what would be the most clear communication vehicle based on the situation.The Situation . . . Lately, your chapter has decided that it is easiest to use Facebook to post information about upcoming events.You have received feedback from others that they have missed events and information.What are your suggestions to improve communication?

7/18/20121515State: As a group I will give you a couple of minutes to decide what would your suggestions be and why.

After 3-4 minutes


Facilitator Note: There is not an absolute answer, you are looking for the thought process of what would be the most clear communication vehicle based on the situation.

The Situation . . . You have noticed that the younger members of your board have started texting during meetings.You dont think anyone else has noticed though you are not sure.What are your suggestions to improve communication?


After 3-4 minutes



Create Your Own Situation . . . As a group, create your own situation.Identify a situation that happens frequently due to a lack of communication or not using the appropriate communication vehicle.Determine different options and share with the larger group.


After 3-4 minutes



General ConsiderationsRespect the generations and individual needsBe open to possibilities Consider all communication toolsDo what you say, Walk the talkBe clearHold yourself and others accountable

7/18/20121818State: Lets recap as we move to finish.

State: Review the items on the overhead.

Ask: Is there anything else you would like to add?Identify 2 - 3 commitments you will make to ensure that you are communicating effectively with all generations. Share one commitment with the group.My Actions, My Commitment7/18/201219

1919State: Lets take a minute as we close to identify commitments we are going to make individually.

State: On your handout, write one or two commitments that you are willing to make to have more effective communications going forward.

Give the attendees a couple of minutes to write their commitments.

Ask: Who would like to share?

Have 3-4 people share their commitments.

Move to close the session.

State: Thank you for your participation and involvement today. This is the beginning of how each of us individually and then as a group can begin to be more effective communicators. Being an effective communicator is about considering the context, the communication vehicle and who is receiving the communication.