“Poor communication costs an organization greatly. It contributes to negativity and poor morale, and leads to decreased productivity, unsatisfactory work relationships, decreased profits, and high staff turnover.” (Fuimano, 2004, p. 12)
While virtually all companies have adopted technology into the workplace, there is one constant that has not changed – the presence of people. People have to talk to one another through the use of interpersonal communication skills. The working world requires that people communicate with one another and no matter how far technology advances there will still be a human being(s) on the receiving end of a message.
Research demonstrates agreement among scholars that many conflicts in the workplace are caused by gaps in communication between the generations. Interactions and relationships in the workplace are influenced by numerous differences in communication, and communication conflicts can have direct and indirect consequences on team and organizational performance (Myers & Sadaghiani, 2010, p. 225). The challenges faced by the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millenials in the workplace are often described as culturally based. Part of the solution almost certainly lies in changing the communication approach. The power of interpersonal communication is that it opens the doors between people that are easily closed by technology. Actively and empathically listening is the foundation for a mutually beneficial working relationship.
This process helps establish synergistic connections between the multi-generational workers, which will increase both the satisfaction of the employee (who will feel more valued, appreciated and involved, but less constrained) and the employer (who will realize greater productivity and fewer personnel management frustrations).
