We are blessed at our church to have some amazingly professional (and young) cohorts. They are full of passion and knowledge, despite some of their relatively young ages. I have learned much from these teammates.
Their generations have been labelled Millenials and Gen-Xers. I've come to find out they process things differently than I do - have different expectations than I do - communicate and receive communication differently than I do. Basically, they're different from me.
I used to wear a tie to work way back in the day. It was just what you did then. I thank this younger generation for removing that rope from around my neck. I still like to wear ties but now I do it because I want to do it. It's more fun now.
One of the preferences I've discovered of the younger generation I work with every day is they prefer texting over e-mailing. Now, most of us/them have e-mail capability right on our phones, but I always get a faster response if I text them. I'm just slower at texting than I am at e-mailing. My fingers are too big for my phone keyboard. But I'm a speed demon at e-mail.
I've also realized I can send a seven paragraph message and often get a seven-word response. It isn't disrespect - they just streamline to a fault. Brevity is the sincerest form of flattery (no, that's 'imitation' actually - but whatever).
The younger generation also likes something written in the e-mail subject line. I'm famous for sending e-mails with NOTHING in the subject line. I think it might be seen as a message indicating laziness or unimportance - neither of which really apply. Still, the team will poke and prod me that I've neglected the subject line. They still answer though.
I'm fond of putting things in CAPS. I learned that it was kind of like yelling - even though that wasn't what I meant by it. I routinely type my sermons with combinations of words italicized, bolded, underlined and in CAPS. It's just my style to indicate EMPHASIS - not to yell. Still, they don't like messages written with all CAPS.
It is also rather common for many of us to 'CC' others on one e-mail. That's just to keep people in the loop who you think should be. I think the younger generation prefers you just talk to them and not make it a round table discussion.
I wonder what the next form of communication will be and what challenges we'll have talking to each other in the future.
We're so different -- and that's what makes it so great.
And be blessed.
Their generations have been labelled Millenials and Gen-Xers. I've come to find out they process things differently than I do - have different expectations than I do - communicate and receive communication differently than I do. Basically, they're different from me.
I used to wear a tie to work way back in the day. It was just what you did then. I thank this younger generation for removing that rope from around my neck. I still like to wear ties but now I do it because I want to do it. It's more fun now.
One of the preferences I've discovered of the younger generation I work with every day is they prefer texting over e-mailing. Now, most of us/them have e-mail capability right on our phones, but I always get a faster response if I text them. I'm just slower at texting than I am at e-mailing. My fingers are too big for my phone keyboard. But I'm a speed demon at e-mail.
I've also realized I can send a seven paragraph message and often get a seven-word response. It isn't disrespect - they just streamline to a fault. Brevity is the sincerest form of flattery (no, that's 'imitation' actually - but whatever).
The younger generation also likes something written in the e-mail subject line. I'm famous for sending e-mails with NOTHING in the subject line. I think it might be seen as a message indicating laziness or unimportance - neither of which really apply. Still, the team will poke and prod me that I've neglected the subject line. They still answer though.
I'm fond of putting things in CAPS. I learned that it was kind of like yelling - even though that wasn't what I meant by it. I routinely type my sermons with combinations of words italicized, bolded, underlined and in CAPS. It's just my style to indicate EMPHASIS - not to yell. Still, they don't like messages written with all CAPS.
It is also rather common for many of us to 'CC' others on one e-mail. That's just to keep people in the loop who you think should be. I think the younger generation prefers you just talk to them and not make it a round table discussion.
I wonder what the next form of communication will be and what challenges we'll have talking to each other in the future.
We're so different -- and that's what makes it so great.
And be blessed.
3 comments:
I could never text, I am far too wordy...ummm, I suppose you have noticed that. IMing is my style.
I've always wondered why you italicize any name? Titles of books I get...names of towns..maybe, but when you are talking about Joelene, for instance,you even italicize her name. I always wondered why?
Of course, most of your folks are on iphone/ipads and if you have a Mac with Mountain Lion, you can "message" them from your computer keyboard and Messages doesn't ming longer "texts".
JUST SAYIN!!!!!
I don't even know what you just said Bob.
Post a Comment