Workforce
Three Lessons From Life’s Oldest Millennial
Old enough to remember picking up the phone, young enough to have built a career on the internet. One hang-up each for Gen Z, the Boomers, and everybody.
It’s funny to me when people say they don’t want to get old. My inner voice always responds with, “It sounds a lot better than the alternative!”
Truly, I’m an age-o-phile, if only in my own aspirations.
So today, I’ll share my thoughts as “life’s oldest millennial,” an archetype that, according to Business Insider, makes me part of the most well-positioned generation to help others in today’s workforce.
From this purview, I see three “hang-ups” that might be holding us back.
1) Gen Z: Pick up the phone!
Did you know that the words we say (or type) make up only 10% of effective communication? The other 90% comes from non-verbal and visual cues.
This means: You must pick up the phone (or hop on Zoom) and have a conversation sometimes if you’d like to be understood. Using only text to communicate is akin to boxing with your arms and legs chained to the ropes.
2) Boomers: Don’t fear new technology!
I’m getting to the age where I’m starting to hear people say, “Oh, no. I won’t EVER try that new app / software / technology / gadget / etc.”
Friends: new technology has so much to teach us. Don’t give all those learning opportunities away!
The more tech you learn first-hand, the more ambidextrous your communications toolbox will become.
Do you need to become an influencer in every tech platform? No way. But play in them. And don’t be afraid you’ll “break it” or delete everything.
Fear can make us freeze, then promptly quit.
Instead, remind yourself – everything can be recovered in this wonderful digital age. Press forward with courage!
3) Everyone: Take notice of the value (and power) of physical energy
This one is particularly potent in in the 2020s. If you’d like to build solid, trusted relationships with people, you need to give yourself a chance to be near them physically, at least sometimes.
This means signing out of zoom or the Metaverse and going somewhere to talk to someone live and in person.
Don’t want to leave your comfy house, or that beautiful screen of emails at the office? Yep, we all get it. We’re jamming (often in our jammies) doing work we love.
Still, going to lunch, coffee, or dinner with someone is two hours out of 24.
And the energy of being with people rewards us with deeper relationships, more clear understanding, and more effective communication all around.
So, here’s this week’s challenge from an old millennial: Think you can schedule a call, try a new software, and have an in-person meeting next week?
Let me know how it goes in comments below. 👇
Sources
- Business Insider article mentioned: businessinsider.com/geriatric-millennials-gre...
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