GENERATION DIFFERENCES

As a trusted professional for the family, did you know you have to “up your game?”  I know it is in more ways than just one; however, today, we will focus on the differences by generation.   It is no longer just preferences of one generation you need to relate to or cater to – it could be as many as four generations when working with a multi-generational family. (Although research shows at least ONE important thing they all agree on – keep reading to find out!)

Typically, most of us work with the matriarch and patriarch of the family at the beginning of an engagement before additional family members join the planning meetings (or with some clients, I work with Generation 2 or 3 first, and then G1 joins us).  Due to our close relationship with our initial client, we are aware and comfortable with their preferences for receiving information, communication styles, and decision-making processes.  However, when your role expands to the family’s trusted professional, you are now working with several generations where you MUST understand there is not a "one-size-fits-all" report style or a preferred way of effective communication to satisfy all. 

TRADITIONALIST/MATURISTS/SILENT GENERATION          Born before 1945

Learning Style:                                Classroom with pencil & paper

Flow of Communication:              Top - Down

Communication preference:       Face to Face

Communication media:                Formal Letter

Best work with:                               Authoritarian/Commanders

BABY BOOMERS                                                                             Born between 1946-1964

Learning Style:                                Facilitated discussions with case study

Flow of Communication:              Guarded – Need to Know Basis

Communication preference:       Face to Face, E-mail or Phone Call if necessary

Communication media:                Phone Call

Ideal Leaders for them:                Commanding/Thinking

GEN X                                                                                                Born between 1965 – 1976*

Learning Style:                                Independent & Coaching with interactive feedback

Flow of Communication:              Hub/Spoke

Communication preference:       E-mail and Text

Communication media:                Text or E-mail

Ideal Leaders for them:                Co-ordinating Doers

GEN Y/MILLENIALS                                                                        Born between 1977 –2000*

Learning Style:                                Collaborative & networked/clear expectations

Flow of Communication:              Collaborative

Communication preference:       Text or Social Media

Communication media:                Text or E-mail

Ideal Leaders for them:                Empowering Collaborators

GEN Z                                                                                                Born between 2000 – 2012* 

Learning Style:                                Pocket mobile internet device

Flow of Communication:              Highly Connected

Communication preference:       Face Time (via device)

Communication media:                Digital device

Ideal Leaders for them:                Inspiring Co-creators

* dates differ from different research sources

There is one thing they all have in common…research shows that for ALL GENERATIONS face-to-face is the preferred way/format to make important decisions.  This is good news for us Trusted Professionals!