How generations communicate differently at work

________________

By Alicia Murungi Higiro

Effective communication between senior and junior employees plays a crucial role in workplace productivity, morale, and overall job satisfaction.

The way they interact can shape organizational culture, influence career development, and determine the efficiency of daily operations. In the modern workplace, Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996) and Generation Z (Gen Z) (1997-2012) are struggling to work together.

It is like a family trip gone wrong. The boomers are driving, Gen X is reading the map (even if no one asked them to), millennials are trying to mediate, and the Gen Z is seated at the back wondering why they did not just hire a travel company to do it all.

While multigenerational workplaces sound good in theory, in practice, it’s more like putting a rotary phone and an iPhone in the same room and expecting them to have a conversation.

Understanding how they can complement each other can help organizations create a more supportive environment, especially when working with Gen Z since they have been reported to have a unique working style.

So, here are some examples of the different working styles between the Boomers and Gen Z that can help both parties understand how to navigate and work together smoothly.

In terms of work ethics, we have the Hustle vs. Work-life balance

Boomers: I worked 80 hours a week, moved in the rain on a boda boda and did not complain.

Gen Z: That sounds like a You problem.

Boomers value showing up early by any means necessary and being seen working. Gen Z values output, efficiency, results and not letting work consume their entire existence.

As long as they have their work delivered on time, showing up to the office early and being seen by everyone working sounds like glorifying suffering. A boomer will talk about their life stories and how they did the most to reach where they are while a Gen Z is booking a spa day for self-care Saturday.

The Email vs the DM wars

Boomers: Did you get my email?

Gen Z: Oh I didn’t check my email, Did you text?

Boomers: Did I what?

Gen Z communicates in fast direct messages, voice notes and emojis. Boomers on the other hand draft emails like they are sending a letter to the president. It is a battle of formality versus efficiency and neither side is backing down. If a boomer gets hit with a “K” or a skull emoji as a response, they might assume HR needs to step in. Meanwhile Gen Z doesn’t resonate with email signatures that contain home phone numbers.

The meeting that could have been an email.

Boomers love meetings, it’s where they thrive. Gen Z on the other hand believe in meetings only if they are necessary and even then, they’d rather be on mute with the camera off and end the meeting with “nothing from me”.

A boomer-led meeting includes an agenda and a lot of “let’s circle back” phrases while a Gen Z-led meeting could be a five-minute voice note with all the necessary details.

When it comes to technology, the struggle is real!

Boomers: I don’t understand this new software

Gen Z: Just Google it

Boomers: No, can you show me?

Gen Z: I am not paid enough for this.

sighs deeply, shares screen

By understanding and accommodating each other’s working styles, these groups can work together. Boomers need to understand that Gen Z isn’t being difficult but rather from a different generation with a different approach to life.

Gen Z ought to be teachable and acknowledge that boomers have a magnitude of experience, even if they struggle to use Excel or format Word to PDF.

Everyone can compromise. Maybe we do not need daily meetings but again let’s not run the company via memes alone.

At the end of the day, if these generations can survive working together, world peace might actually be possible. Until then, let us agree that “per my last email” could mean war and “sawa” is not an acceptable response to an official report.

The writer is a communications specialist