Nonverbal Communication Styles Between Baby Boomers

Introduction

The verbal communication style between baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) in comparison to generation Y (born between 1981 and 2000) differ significantly. Preferred communications styles vary in all generations and ultimately essential to everyday lives. The communications style derives from the environment each generation was brought up in. Baby boomer’s choice for oral communication is face to face and Millennials is nearly none existent. Generation Y is known as Millennials prefer to text, instant message or use social platforms to communicate. Baby boomers and generation Y may have trouble aligning their communication styles. However, this does not mean it will be impossible for both generations to find common ground.

Baby boomers prefer face to face interaction and have an ability to read verbal and none verbal cues because they did not grow up with their faces glued to a phone screen. For Millennials growing up with technology may have hindered interpersonal skills, however, enhanced technical skills on the other hand. Professionally baby boomers feel that picking up the phone would be faster than waiting for an email for a response. Millennials feel that it would be more efficient to send an email than to call but they don’t have well- developed phone skills to pick up the phone since texting is how they use their phones. By doing so it can cause miscommunication and lead to potential conflict hence most of the workplace conflicts derive from lack of communication (Kandell, E., 2016). Instead of facing an issue head-on by oral communication a millennial can create room for misunderstanding with not just baby boomers but others as well (Kandell, E., 2016). Emotional intelligence includes emotional awareness, ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving (Emotional Intelligence, 2017). Emotional intelligence is key to building a relationship in which baby boomers highly value. (Ryback, R., 2016). According to Psychology today “The difference is they use these technologies as productivity tools as opposed to connectivity, an idea that came

Millennials have an advantage in social platforms and finding how to do things online which can be efficient. Baby boomers are more hands-on and would rather learn from an owner’s manual that is not likely to be in a timely manner or even efficient when technology alternatives are available. Baby boomers have the opportunity grasp this skill from a Millennials. The same way that baby boomers can improve efficiency millennials can too! One of the best characteristics of a baby boomer is that they have interpersonal skills know how to gauge situations using their emotional intelligence, manage emotions effortlessly and truly build valuable relationships by doing so. Since millennials are lacking in this department it would be at their best interested to be mentored by a baby boomer on how to be a better conversationalist and understand how to manage emotions, possibly pick up the phone rather. When baby boomer can embrace the changes coming into the workplace, that is generation Y and technology, the two can find a common ground. Baby boomers most certainly can learn innovative technology devices, platforms for quicker results but as a tool not an alternative replacement for interpersonal