Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

TEDx Talks

208K views 9 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear “get along at work,” what kinds of problems do you think of?
What different age groups (generations) do you usually work or study with?
What communication tools cause the most misunderstandings at work (email, text, meetings, social media)?

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Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

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How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

Why work ‘sucks’ and why generations matter (00:00 – 02:37)

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1. According to the speaker’s research, what happens when communication between generations improves?

Work ‘sucks less’ because stress between generations is reduced.
Technology becomes less important at work.
People work fewer hours.
Older workers retire sooner.

2. What does the speaker say technology has caused people to lose at work?

Their ability to communicate generationally (seeing faces/hearing voices/feeling tension).
Their ability to write clearly.
Their interest in leadership.
Their ability to build teams.

3. What do great communicators understand, according to the speaker’s data?

Each generation responds differently to leadership and workplace technology.
Only managers need to communicate well.
Technology always improves teamwork.
All generations prefer the same leadership style.

How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

Boomers and Gen X: drivers, processing styles, and ‘soothers’ (02:37 – 10:03)

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1. How do Boomers generally process information from leaders and co-workers?

Visually (through pictures).
In an auditory capacity (through conversation/words).
Kinesthetically (through actions).
Mainly through short texts.

2. What is one recommended way to help a Boomer who is in distress?

Give them a deck and markers to draw ideas.
Tell them to stop emailing and use only text messages.
Ask them to work silently until the problem disappears.
Acknowledge their legacy and allow them to talk things out.

3. What does the speaker say Gen Xers process information with?

Formal written reports.
Pictures (visually).
Long conversations and words.
Only face-to-face meetings.

How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

Millennials and Gen Z + the ‘generational boogie’ takeaway (10:03 – 16:10)

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1. What is the Millennial driver the speaker emphasizes through her example?

Legacy creation
Development
Money and fear of losing it
Being alone

2. How does the speaker say Millennials process information at work?

Only through emails
Kinesthetically (actions)
Auditorily (words/conversation)
Visually (pictures)

3. In the ‘generational boogie,’ what does the speaker suggest saying after taking a step to the right and left?

“We are all the same.”
“Technology is the problem.”
“I will react differently.”
“I should quit my job.”

How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the speaker’s main purpose in this talk?

To convince people to avoid working with older colleagues
To argue that one generation is better than the others
To explain how adapting communication across generations can reduce workplace stress
To teach people how to use social media at work

2. Which idea best matches the speaker’s approach to generations at work?

Let technology handle most communication problems
Use the same communication style with everyone
Focus on individuals only; generations are meaningless
Understand cohorts and shift your communication to meet different needs

3. Which pair is matched correctly in the talk?

Boomers—auditory; Gen X—visual
Boomers—visual; Gen X—auditory
Millennials—auditory; Gen Z—visual
Gen X—kinesthetic; Boomers—action-based

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials | Mary Donohue | TEDxToronto

Which communication style do you relate to most (auditory, visual, kinesthetic)? Give a real example from work or school.
The speaker says technology can “mess up communication.” Do you agree? When does it help, and when does it hurt?
What is one practical change you could make to “shift to meet the needs” of someone from a different generation?
Do you think describing people by generations is useful, or does it create stereotypes? Why?