Workplace Harmony between Gen Y’ers and Boomers
According to a recent Ernst and Young study, 45 percent of baby boomers say they are comfortable using technology, but only nine percent of Generation Y (born after 1980) think that boomers are adept at technology. These misperceptions can cause big problems in the workplace. About 84 percent of Gen Y’ers use technology to avoid difficult conversations while boomers prefer discussing difficult subjects in person or over the phone.
Younger people think that boomers’ inefficiencies with technology create lost opportunities for their workplace while boomers think that members of Gen Y need to work on having more face-to-face interactions. Let’s not forget who invented technology. Bill Gates is a boomer and so is Steve Jobs. According to the Savvy Boomer, a popular blog helping boomers understand how to use technology, the boomer generation uses technology as a means to an end. Younger people use technology as the end.
I have some tips for reconciling boomers and Gen Y on this subject: boomers should invite younger folks to more face-to-face meetings while younger people should teach boomers more about technology!
