| Right now, there are four Generations in the | | | | might explain it as Wikipedia does on the page |
| workforce all interacting with each other. | | | | detailing the poem. |
| Communications between the different | | | | It is as follows. "While his wife and children sleep, a |
| generations have never been more difficult or | | | | man awakens to noises outside his house. Looking |
| more challenging. | | | | out the window, he spies landing on his roof St. |
| I find myself challenged every time I am | | | | Nicholas in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. The |
| delivering a seminar to make sure my message is | | | | saint enters the house through the chimney. The |
| heard by each Generation. If you have some | | | | man watches Nicholas filling the children's stockings |
| challenges with this as well, read on for a few tips | | | | hanging by the fire. They share a conspiratorial |
| that can help you have clearer communications | | | | moment before the saint bounds up the chimney |
| and deeper understanding. | | | | again. As he flies away, Nicholas wishes everyone |
| First, have "positive intent" in your message and | | | | a happy Christmas." |
| your voice. This is simply the thought that you | | | | Granted, for my taste, there is a certain element |
| have something that they would like to hear, and | | | | lost in the Wikipedia plot explanation, however, |
| they are eager to hear it. It's the most important | | | | with the X and Y Generation, if they need to |
| step. It can carry you over the "awkward | | | | know more, they'll ask. (Or look it up themselves |
| moments" when you are using language and | | | | on their laptop) |
| non-verbal communication that work with one | | | | Next, don't dawdle. Younger Generations respond |
| particular Generation and not with the others. | | | | to faster, shorter sound bytes rather than |
| Second, take a moment and picture yourself in | | | | detailed explanations. Give it to them, make your |
| their shoes. Ask yourself this question. "Why | | | | point and move on. If there are explanations |
| would I need to hear this?" Then ask "How can I | | | | required, let them know where they can get |
| deliver this message in a way they can | | | | additional information, how to get in contact with |
| understand it?" This step is crucial in getting the | | | | you and switch to the next subject. |
| right mindset. | | | | Then spend some time summarizing the main |
| Also, be prepared to be more "visual" and | | | | points for emphasis, highlighting the key areas |
| "non-verbal" as needed. Younger Generations are | | | | they need to concentrate on and stop. Allow for |
| more apt to respond to less language and more | | | | feedback time. It may take a moment or two |
| "screen shots" of your message. I like to illustrate | | | | for them to give you some response. Be patient. |
| this by asking you to remember the Christmas | | | | Let them tell you what they need from you. |
| story called "Twas the Night before Christmas" | | | | Lastly, recognize them for who they are. Humans |
| attributed to Clement Moore. | | | | communicating just like you. It may be a little |
| If you were to recite the story, in its entirety, a | | | | different, maybe a little strange, maybe a little |
| younger audience might ask you to stop and give | | | | new and all of it part of the process. With a little |
| them the short version. They'll want you to | | | | planning, effective communications and a deeper |
| paraphrase the event. | | | | understanding can happen with everybody. |
| So, instead of 14 verses as in the original, you | | | | |