Today’s multi-generational workforce has created wonderful opportunities for better communication between generations, but it has also created challenges in understanding what each other’s words actually mean.

One example is the phrase, “Let’s Chat.”

To a Baby Boomer or Gen-Xer, it could mean, “Let’s go grab a cup of coffee, sit down and talk about it.”

To a Gen-Zer or Millennial, it could mean, “I will send you a text,” or imply a conversation through Facebook or Snapchat.

This example highlights the opportunity provided for us to create better communications between leaders, managers, and everyone else. These are interesting times, as today we might find a 24-year-old manager overseeing a staff ranging from their twenties to their forties and beyond.

The workplace today is in transition — there are leaders and managers who know exactly what they are doing, others that don’t, and then some who know how, but aren’t good at communicating in a way that everyone understands.

LEADING is about inspiration — and allowing people to do what they want to do based on the path you created or started.

MANAGING is the ability to coordinate activities to make sure things are being done efficiently, effectively, and in the intended direction.

The difference? When you are leading, you are not necessarily telling people what to do. You are opening the pathway for others to do what they do, whether they do it your way or some other way. You lead them along the path but don’t control their every movement.

In management, you may need to tell them what to do because you need to guide them through the process.

We all know there are many styles of management, but what I want to highlight is the opportunity for leadership and management to collaborate and coordinate with everyone else involved in the process.

One way to do that is to have a better communication, making sure management and leadership teams — as well as everyone else — are on the same page regarding the terms they are using that make an impact on people’s actions.

BEFORE YOU GO

We see our blogs as opportunities for dialogue. Please share your thoughts as comments.

1. What does “Leadership” mean to you?

2. What does “Management” mean to you?

3. What tools have you used to keep your multi-generational workplace working in terms of communication and the online lifestyle?

_____

Faris Alami is Founder and CEO of International Strategic Management, Inc. (ISM). He works internationally, presenting Exploring Entrepreneurship Workshops and other entrepreneurial ecosystem — related ventures.