#7 Communicating with Gen Y and Gen X: A Key to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace

As a conflict resolution consultant and accountability coach I help my clients reduce conflict in the workplace to improve their working condition.

Understanding the different generations is an important concept to reduce conflict in the workplace.

Gen Y was born between 1981-1995:

• They have Helicopter Parents who hover over them during college interviews and job placement fairs.
• The parents are very involved with their children’s decisions and want them to experience the best possible opportunities.
• The job turnover rate is 30% for Gen Y because they want to work at a place that suits their specific talents.
• Some older generations look at Gen Y as the entitled generation.
• The reality is that Gen Y has been given more choices than any other generation.
• They want to work at a place that appreciates their unique qualities.

Here are some tips to help communicate with Gen Y:

• Give them mentors to understand face to face communication.
• Encourage them to mentor others who need help with technology.
• Empower them to share ideas since they bring a fresh perspective to the team.

Gen X was born between 1965-1980:

• They are the smallest generation.
• Gen X came home from school and their parents were not at home because they were working.
• Gen X is known as the latchkey generation.
• They are very independent.
• They would rather do things on their own than be on a team player.
• They don’t like to be micromanaged.

Here are some tips to use with Gen X:

• Train them how to be great leaders since they will be taking over management from baby boomers by 2019.
• Have work/life balance as part of your mission statement.
• Gen X doesn’t want to be workaholics like their parents.  They want to spend time with their family.

I hope that these tips will help you reduce conflict between generations. My next article will give you tips on how to communicate with baby boomers  and traditionalists.

Until next time, this is Joyce Weiss and remember, “You get what you tolerate!”

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