Why the Word ”Interactivity” is Misleading

By Roger HB Davies

The generations are changing the language. Obvious. But as generations overlap in the workforce, some words merit closer attention.

For example, the words ” interactivity” and “connected.”

Gen-Yers see the words (and skill sets) as related to technical “connections,” e.g., social media and staying in touch via technology.

Boomers use the words very differently. They “connect” with people through face-to-face exchanges. They “interact” by talking and listening – on the phone, in client meetings, with each other.

© Canstockphoto

Two sets of skills, both important, both quite different and covered by two potentially misleading words.

Gen-Yers see “interactivity” as both a technical word and an “interpersonal” word. Boomers don’t understand this. Their spin on “interactivity” speaks to their bias towards and face-to-face communication.

Who’s right?

Gen-Y Style Communication Profile

What you see is what you get.

Sometimes this directness can be your downfall because people don’t always understand it. I personally value it. I’m married to someone who is incredibly direct, so it doesn’t phase me at all. But I wasn’t brought up with that directness.

I’ve learned to admire it because it brings to the table one really important thing that managers value: I can ask you for your opinion and know you’ll give it to me. I may not like the opinion, but I will usually hear the truth.

You can deal with that. At least the truth is out in the open.

Some people tell you what they think you want to hear. If you’re the CEO, that’s the worst thing to want.

I remember the first person who mentored me in life. One day he gave me a piece of advice that really upset me. Doesn’t really matter what it was , but it went “pow” in me. He said to me later, “You will find many people around who will pat you on the back and say what a great guy you are, but you will find very few people who will actually tell you the truth.”

What your generation brings to the table is a directness in communication, which all organizations need to understand and value.

If you find people are misinterpreting your directness, explain yourself.

Say to your boss, “Please understand that I’m direct and upfront in my communication. I’m not being rude, I’m just telling you what’s on my mind.”

© Canstockphoto/ Feverpitched

Gen-X Communication Style Profile

This is the in-the-middle group, probably brought up by boomer parents.

Gen-Xers have some insights that can help Gen-Yers – and Boomers.

Be aware that their perspective is half-way to being a boomer, half way to Gen-Yer. A foot in both camps.

Gen-Xers can provide that half-way advice to help you Gen-Yers on your career path.

Their challenge is that they can all too easily see both perspectives. They will give you a choice.

Only you can make that choice. So take control of your career.

No one else will.

Baby Boomer Communication Style Profile

In summary, boomers tend to be more analytical. They respond well to the written word. Many, though not all, like one-on-one communication.

They also respond well to the following:

• Concise written summaries
• Concise verbal presentations
• Results
• Lists/bullet points
• Punctuality

Email Expertise: More Than Meets the Eye

In our opinion, viruses, worms, etc., are a piece of cake compared to e-mail.

Email is the most dangerous software on your computer, by far.

It’s too easy to reply, too easy to be blunt, and crucially you miss that face-to-face contact.

You are using a tricky communication medium. Your role involves building relationships, not breaking them. Email can do more damage to a relationship than you realize – if you’re careless.

The more you rely on this technology, the more care you must take.

Our research shows that if you know someone well, you can get away with a certain amount of sloppiness in email. Your audience will make allowances. Bluntness, poor spelling, even bad grammar tend to be overlooked. Up to a point!

But if you don’t know that person well, we don’t make those allowances so readily.

Also, be aware of this reality: the tonal quality of email is difficult (if not impossible) to manage perfectly, and your tone is often misunderstood by the receiver.

To improve writing tone, consciously smile when you write – that friendly tone will come through in your writing.

A smile goes a long way when you write. Always. 

Generational Communications

A dynamic exists in the workforce that hasn’t happened before. It’s the dynamic between the generations.

You have probably figured out which generation you’re in. If you go to the internet, you’ll see that different experts use slightly different dates of birth to define each generation. You’ll just have to decide which one you most relate to.  

Be aware that these three groups have a lot of influence in any organization.

 

Their perspectives appear to be very different.

Our communications research has profiled the differences.

Briefly, boomers tend to be mainly analytical.

Gen-X more interactive.

Gen-Y more direct.

More on this in the coming weeks.