Talking To The Generations

Nowadays in order to be an effective communicator we not only need to know how to adapt to different personality types, we also need to know different generational issues that can create conflict in workplace.

The dynamics we have today are unique to our era in that work values have made a dramatic shift with younger generations. This has caused harsh judgements and criticism of values within work environment, which hinders performance of individuals and overall team success.

We need to begin by first seeking to understand, as Steven Covey of 7 Habits would say. If we can begin to understand what is important to each generation and then learn to see things in a wider perspective we can begin to build bridges of communication and heighten tolerance towards differences in values and ultimately collaboration.

Let’s look at different generations and their values in general:

1.The Veteran age group is generally those that are 55 and older. This generation is post war and their nature is to be loyal to a single employer and they expect same loyalty displayed towards themselves. Because this generation did not grow up with material wealth in most cases they tend to be frugal and do not understand need to use debt to build business or need for anyone to have debt at all. In workplace they show up on time and they take orders- they do as they are told and they respect their boss as well as their elders.

2.The Baby boomer age group is generally 35 to 54 and are children of Veterans. They grew up with little in way of toys or nice clothes and vowed to give their children everything they couldn’t have as children. In most cases baby boomers grew up earning an allowance and understood principle of working to earn a living. In general they left home at age of 18 and survival was a real issue. If you told a baby boomer to do something at work or else they would be fired- they would do it because they were afraid of not being able to pay bills. In workplace they have a mentality of work, work, work and then you die.

TITLE: How to be a Great Speaker AUTHOR: Sandra Schrift CONTACT: sandra@schrift.com COPYRIGHT: ©2004 by Sandra Schrift. All rights reserved

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How to be a Great Speaker

Did you know that great speakers are often nervous with butterflies in their stomach before giving a presentation? And there are many actors/actresses who can not speak to live audiences without cue cards. My 13 years as a professional speakers bureau owner allowed me to hear several thousand speakers give their presentations. Here are a few tips I learned from them.

1. You want to be nervous. Get your butterflies to fly in formation. Some tension brings about a great speech. You usually don’t look as nervous as you feel. Be prepared, be relaxed. Practice, practice, practice. Use visualization techniques. One speaker suggests that you curl your toes and get rid of your adrenalin. Get out of your head and in to your heart. Reduce nervousness with self talk.

Your mantra might be - “I am a relaxed, confident speaker.”

2. Great presentations are well organized.

Opening – You have 60seconds to get their attention. So start with a great question, quote or short story. Tell ‘em what you will tell them.

Body – Tell ‘em. This is where you tell your 3-4 points supported by your stories.

Closing –Tell ‘em what you told them. Give them a call to action. What is one idea they can use immediately? in seven days? in one month?

There are basically two kinds of presentations – Informative (to know) Persuasive (to do)