Communication with Millennials is a challenge for Baby Boomers

 

Communication with Millennials is a challenge for Baby Boomers and earlier generations as well. That being written, such communication is obligatory and necessary if America is to move forward in a positive direction. The communication landscape has changed dramatically and the junior angels, no longer senior citizens, must learn to adjust to this rapidly changing landscape.

Social Media Tools of Choice

At present, I believe that Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the primary channels of Millennial communication, but those channels will continue to shift and change. Technology continues to move at an ever-increasing rate, and other media will likely become dominant in the future.

We can master Instagram and Twitter in an afternoon, but Facebook has much more functionality. Oddly enough, Facebook appears to be the social medium of choice for Boomers.

A Communication Perspective for Boomers

Listen twice as much as you speak.  God has given us two ears and only one mouth.  Therefore, simple logic demands that we keep our mouths shut most of the time and practice deep listening.

Ask lots of probing questions of Millennials and listen carefully to their answers.  Only by careful questioning and deep listening will Boomers begin to understand what motivates Millennials and what their priorities are.  

Stop saying that all Millennials believe they are entitled, which to my mind, is a ludicrous statement. There is no way that an estimated population of 73 million adults, ranging in age from 23 to 38, as of 2019, are a monolithic subset of Americans. Moreover, the Millennials are spread across the 50 states of America, which alone indicates that a highly diverse range of behaviors and beliefs will be present.
 
I have asked in another post that Boomers embrace the role of mentor for the Millennial Generation and Generation Z. By becoming mentors, Boomers can share their wisdom with the younger generations as a slate of ideas to recognize or consider. Remember, Boomers came of age in the 1960s when the mantra popularized by Dr. Timothy Leary was “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out.” With the clarity of hindsight, that directive was not the best of life strategies to be adopted by anyone, regardless of age.  I suspect Boomers have achieved a bit more life wisdom in the years since the 60s.

Boomers must talk to as many Millennials as they can, not just to Millennials in their extended family.  That would be too restrictive and limiting.  The conversation with Millennials must be wide-ranging and done on a continuing basis.  Learn as you go.
 

A Key Communication Rule For Boomers and Millennials

Boomers and Millennials should strive to be civil and courteous to one another. Neither side of the communication divide should denigrate the other. The objective of communication and dialogue is to seek the truth. There are many beliefs and opinions in the marketplace of ideas, but there is only one truth. But, the truth remains ever elusive unless we listen to one other. Rational discourse requires that we listen and then ponder and reflect.  Put otherwise, listen and learn.
 

A Call to Action

Here is a pledge that all men and women of goodwill, regardless of generation, should consider: “I promise on my honor to be courteous and civil to everyone I communicate with, regardless of age or station in life; to speak only the truth as I know it; and to listen to what they have to say with empathy and compassion, and without judgment, so help me God.”

Will you take the pledge?  The future of America may depend on it.

 

Special Outbound Link to The Asian Antiquarian, which is a sister website to White Beard Wisdom: https://theasianantiquarian.com/

Special Internal Reference Link to Related Post: https://whitebeardwisdom.com/a-call-to-action/

 
 

 

Share The Ideas! Share The Wisdom!
             

Andrew J Guinosso

Professional Writer and Published Author of "The Success Playbook for Everyone." Retired Business Executive, Entrepreneur, and Restauranteur