Rosabeth Moss Kanter
The boomers' biggest impact will be on eliminating the term "retirement" and inventing a new stage of life...the new career arc. 

Rosabeth Moss Kanter 
BrainyQuote.com

A short while ago I was training in a call center near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I was presenting in front of a group of managers between the ages of 25-65 on the subject of generational diversity.  A young Generation X employee began sharing her frustration with the Boomers she works with that find the need to answer all of her email messages by walking into her office and speaking with her face-to-face.  She was truly annoyed at the disruption of her time and felt that they should respond through email for improved efficiency. 

A Boomer manager sitting across from her in the room sensed her frustration and he responded in kind with angry words that let her know that responding with email is not always the most efficient. He went on to say that a short face-to-face meeting would allow for back and forth communication that could answer all questions, gain clarification and allow body language to be seen.  He felt that so much time is wasted emailing responses that get misinterpreted or misunderstood.  Anytime email communication has been read, responded to and is awaiting another response, then it is more efficient to go visit or call that person.  While the Gen X employee was listening intently, I am not sure that she truly agreed with this advice. 

Because there were so many Baby Boomers born between 1946-1964, they quickly leaned that they needed to become playground and workplace savvy and learn the politics of getting ahead.  They learned that competing for a position at work required that they get a long well with others and team work was a valued skill.

If you are working with or for a Baby Boomer, try these tips for improved communication:

• Acknowledge their experience and sincerely ask for their help
• Connect with a female Boomer by asking her to describe her climb up the corporate ladder
• Show them that you are listening by taking notes whenever they assign work
• Mix your communication  methods with them by talking face-to-face, phoning, email and texting them when appropriate

If a Boomer works for you, try these tips: 

• Don't write Boomers off when deciding to invest training dollars. Because many have not saved enough for retirement and enjoy working, they will be around for a long time
• Because many have been successful in the past, they are reluctant to try new ways of doing things i.e., technology.  Show them how the change will benefit them directly and insist they get on board!
• Acknowledge their hard work and long hours and find ways to tap into their expertise

Next week we will discuss the beliefs and values of the Traditionalist generation born between 1900-1945.  We will look at ways to communicate more effectively with this great generation.