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Business Skills: Communicating Across Generations in the Workplace

Business Skills: Communicating Across Generations in the Workplace

Communicating Across Generations – Episode Summary

In this timely and people-centered episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew explore the generational dynamics that influence communication inside today’s print businesses. As four generations—Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—coexist on the same production floor or in the same office, this course helps leaders and team members develop the awareness and strategies needed for effective, respectful collaboration. Perfect for printing industry training programs for new employees, outsourced training for print production staff, or HR-led print shop employee onboarding templates.

Pat and Ryan walk through each generation’s formative experiences, values, and preferred communication styles:

  • Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964): Value face-to-face conversations, formality, and respect. Often comfortable with tech but prefer clear, direct dialogue.

  • Gen X (1965–1980): The bridge generation. Adaptable, independent, entrepreneurial, and often email-first communicators.

  • Millennials (1981–1996): Digitally native and multi-channel communicators who expect clarity, purpose, and feedback.

  • Gen Z (1997–2012): Fully connected from birth. Expect instant communication via text, Slack, or WhatsApp. Value purpose, transparency, and autonomy.

The episode emphasizes that good communication is situational and generationally aware—not one-size-fits-all. It encourages employers to include communication preference profiling as part of onboarding, and to deploy multiple tools and training methods to meet employees where they are.

You Will Learn:

  • Generational values and communication preferences across Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z

  • Why assumptions about tech fluency or work ethic can be misleading

  • How to avoid communication mismatches and workplace frustration

  • Tips for adapting your message and platform depending on the generation

  • Why inclusive onboarding should include communication style assessment

Who This Course Is For:

Owners, HR professionals, trainers, and department leads designing print shop employee onboarding templates, printing industry training programs for new employees, or outsourced training for print production staff

Time to Watch:

Approx. 32 minutes