Pitfalls and Etiquette of Social Media: Part 2: Social Media Issues in Multi-generational Work Force

Each generation has different values, communication styles and ideologies. While not every member of each generation fits all of the mindsets of everyone in their generation anyone working in a professional environment needs to be prepared on how others perceive them based on generational differences. This even correlates to your use and presence on social media.
Each generation has different expectations for communication, the level of personal information shared, how information is shared and how they interpret what they read. With up to 5 generations represented in today’s workforce it is important that you understand how each considers proper communication and consider the views of each when it comes to social media. The use of social media is thus a blessing and a curse to anyone who may be connected to multiple generations on one platform. What this means for you as the “writer” is that you need to spend more time considering what you will post and determine how potential viewers will interpret the words you used but also the emotion behind them and ultimately how you are being perceived.
As you read through the list of value attributable to different generations you will notice that a lot of he values are contradicted by what other generations view as important in communication style. This makes not only communicating itself more difficult but deciding how you will communicate an important factor.
Values of different generations:
• Privacy. Do not over-share and do not expect them to share back with you.
• Formality in communication including preference to hand-written correspondence or face-to-face communication. They also expect proper grammar and appreciate if you get to the point and do not waste time.
• Open, direct style but do not control or force a point of view on them.
• View details as imperative.
• Want to see flexibility in your ideas and thought provoking insights in your communication.
• Loyalty and commitment to your point-of-view and not being easily swayed.
• Independent and creativity in your thought process.
• They want to be provided as many facts and true information as possible.
• Use email and texting as primary communication.
• Want to provide feedback and want to receive comments and dialogue surrounding themselves.
• Need to be reassured and have their ideas validated by as many people as possible, thrive on input.
• Prefer informal and not face-to-face communication.
• Will use any technology source for communication.
• Write short, direct comments.
• Only wants positive communication.
• High use of action words and challenges themselves and others
• Use action words and want to be challenged.
• Resent being told what to do.

While social media can quickly get your thoughts, feelings, and experiences across you must remember that your intended audience may not be the only ones to view electronically documented thoughts. You do not want to be perceived negatively or differently by other generations because of your participation on social media. Social media is not just social it needs to remain professional even if casual in appearance. Only you can determine which types of social media to use and how you want to be viewed. It is hard but not impossible to be viewed positively by multi-generations when in the world of social media.
The bottom line is communication is difficult and you need to remember that when using social media as your platform for communication there are more perspectives than yours to think about. Consider you were speaking to a parent, child, teacher, boss and friend when you post. Would they all be supportive of what you wrote? Will you look back in 10 or 20 years from any of the above perspectives and be proud of what wrote? If not- DELETE before you post it.