A light-hearted look at the different workplace aspirations and expectations that baby-boomers and millennials have and the ways in which they may fail to communicate with each other. These different (and often fundamental) expectations can lead quickly to resentment, relationship breakdowns and disputes if the parties do not find ways to communicate effectively with each other.
Almost all workplace mediations have at their core a failure to communicate well. This may be as the result of a conversation that never happened or a conversation that happened, but for whatever reason, did not go well.Management and staff at all levels can be trained to recognise and address the potential for miscommunication and misunderstanding. These are soft skills that once learned can bring enormous unforeseen benefits to the workplace that extend far beyond improved communication and stronger relationships. In workplaces where conflict is reduced, the benefits can include, improved staff retention, improved morale and increased productivity.