Picture a sponge which appears to be saturated but still manages to absorb more. That is an adequate descriptor for myself and my insatiable desire for knowledge. This knowledge comes through various methods whether it is researching a geographic location for a new adventure, acquiring a new practical skill such as how to repair a toilet, or completing a self-assessment to gain additional information about what makes me tick. Each opportunity to increase knowledge also opens a door for enhanced communication whether it be a more informed conversation with a colleague or grasping that the student sitting in my office is not actually speaking a foreign language.

Each and every person reading this post could readily share experiences where communication failed whether that occurred in a personal or professional setting. For years I held onto a letter from an automotive dealership here in town to provide an example to my students about first impressions and the importance of quality communication skills. From the incorrect placement of information on the envelope to the ink that gradually disappeared as my eyes moved down the page to all the mechanical errors, that letter forced me to make assumptions about that business. (No, I never visited the dealership to purchase an automobile).

Currently, I’m not sure that emerging adults will even know what a letter is. Sorry, I digress! But the reality is that methods of communication have changed which means emerging adults need guidance on how to flourish with their communication skills. A colleague at Union in Communication Arts, Ashley Blair, shared with faculty years ago an effective tool she created to evaluate students on communication skills with a professionalism rubric. Included in the rubric is student communication within the course such as email with the professor where the student is evaluated and also advised with a better communication approach when needed.

Attempting to guide Gen Z to improve communication is time consuming, but the alternative is to rant in my office about the lack of abilities of this generation or to engage in equipping them with the proper skills. Now, don’t get me wrong, the rantings still occur, just ask a colleague on my hallway, but once the rant is over, I try to make a conscious effort to reply to the email with not only a solution to the reason for the email but to include “a better approach to this communication might have been…”

One of my biggest pet peeves, currently, is the number of communications received where I am told something when the true reason for reaching out was to make a special request. After the jaw clenching and cleansing breath, the reply might include a similar phrase to the following (actual statements included in some general feedback):

If any comments need clarification, please email the instructor referencing which comment is unclear and she will try to explain further. For example, rather than a statement such as “I don’t understand why I lost so many points”, a better approach would be, “Will you please explain to me what exactly you were looking for in the comment entitled ‘Support Needed’ as I felt that the assignment was clear?’

Personally, by changing the tone of the communication from a statement to a question, I will respond more appropriately. Another example of an email received from a graduate student:

Dr. Powell,

I can not send my work in, there are severe thunderstorms and internet and power are off. Sorry for the inconvenience. 

Best regards,

Is there a request for an extension on the deadline in there somewhere? A dear friend years ago brought to my attention the difference between a command and a request when I was the sports information director. With good humor and a laugh, she made me aware of how differently these two items were – “Take these stats to the other team” versus “Will you please take these stats to the other team?” Thank you, THill!

Meg Jay in her book entitled The Divine Decade, shares a story about a human resources professional who desires for someone to “’tell twentysomethings that the office has a completely different culture than what they are used to. You can’t start an email with ‘Hey!’ You have to think about how you speak and write. How you act. Twentysomethings who’ve never had jobs don’t know this.’ What happens at work every day matters. Typos matter and sick days matter, not just for the worker but for the company’s bottom line.”

It is doubtful that anyone would disagree that communication does matter from our personal relationships at home to the professional colleagues at work. Emerging adults need guidance from mentors and advisers who grasp the importance of good communication. Whether it’s using a professionalism rubric in a course, requesting a seasoned employee to mentor a new hire, or investing the time to offer a wiser approach, we are called as Christ followers to be others aware and provide help when needed.

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

If you have a story about lessons in communication or how someone guided you through the early days of being a professional, please share. I look forward to sharing more about communication and Gen Z in a future posting on self-awareness.