The Generations Speak

Last week I had the opportunity to facilitate a panel discussion on intergenerational communication. The panel was created by TAGLaw and TIAG, two related membership associations for law firms and CPA firms. The panel consisted of one member from each of the three dominant generations working today: Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials.

Thanks to the panelists for an enlightening discussion: Norman Posner, CPA, managing partner of Samet CPAs in  Massachusetts; Brigid Heid, a partner in Carlile Patchen & Murphy law firm in Ohio; and Chuck Price, an associate with Haskell Slaughter law firm in Alabama. Each of them represented their respective generations with candor, clarity, and humor. Following are three suggestions that bubbled up from the conversation.

Relax. Members of all generations can reduce conflict and increase productivity just by taking a breath. Instead of reacting to a situation, respond to it. When you do not feel understood by a member of another generation or do not understand them, unclench your jaw and open your mind. As with all conflict, the answer to the problem generally lies somewhere in the middle of two reactions. So bend a little, breathe a lot, and ask questions before making declarative statements about how ridiculous the old people/young people are.

Accept. Millennials are changing the way the business world operates — for the better, in many ways. The wisdom, judgment, and experience of Boomers and Gen X-ers, when combined with the creativity and confidence of these new workers, can be a powerful force for productivity and progress.

Connect. If you want a more productive workplace with less inter-generational angst, initiate a connection with someone from a different generation. Seek out a mentor from a different generation. Spend time with people who don’t look like you, talk like you, or think like you. Ask questions. Listen. That’s how you learn the strengths of every individual and connect with them authentically. When you connect with individuals, you naturally remove whatever labels you may have been applying, generational or otherwise. Removing labels liberates everyone involved, reducing conflict, increasing productivity, and contributing to organizational happiness.

Relax, accept, and connect. The panelists really got it right on this. Sounds like good advice for life outside of work, too.