Prime Time 7/8, Writing, Arbeitsheft

14 58 14 Communication and media 14.1 Text input Millennials are struggling with face-to-face communication: Here’s why Millennials have become the dominant force in the workforce, we applaud their skills in tech and social media. They might arguably be one of the overall most intelligent generations to come around. However, that’s not to say they still don’t have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to face-to-face communication. As the generation that grew up with communication becoming more efficient via digital technology, their biggest strength could also be a critical weakness. While the way they say things has become more direct, their messages sometimes are lacking. There was once a time when the tough stuff in life was something we had to face in person. Whether it was a breakup, getting fired or handling a problem, there wasn’t the opportunity to send it via text, e-mail or social media. A good example of this is online dating. Its rapid expansion has allowed for people who once didn’t fancy traditional media (bars, clubs, activities, etc.) to meet, but it is also replacing that nerve-wracking feeling of going up to strangers and talking to them. Instead, you’re connected with faces on a screen with some words that pop up. You have no idea who they are (or if it’s even them), so you feel free to say whatever comes to mind. For some, this can be a great place to teach themselves how to be more comfortable starting a conversation. Although the connections we build online are usually more good than bad, being able to see a person’s body language, facial expressions and gestures makes a world of difference in building a relationship. Perhaps one of the main reasons why millennials struggle with face-to-face communications is that they’ve always had the ability to edit a message. Even for the most boring of conversations, younger generations have always had the time to think something over. This not only removes a sense of vulnerability, but the raw emotion that could come with it. While this ability has its advantages in that we get to come off in our best light, that’s not always the most human approach. We’re supposed to make mistakes with what we sometimes say, as these errors contribute to us being stronger mentally. At no other point in history have we had access to such a broad audience right at our fingertips, which is a great thing for brands to build on. Yet, this platform sometimes makes us overlook the quality of relationships versus the quantity of how many we have. It’s no secret that some of the most tech-savvy branding experts could tell you that the first rule for being successful online is authenticity. With how in-tune our world is with digital technology, it’s time to start making our interactions more authentic. And as leaders, millennials are still growing and adapting to synthesising the two worlds. However, once they do, our communications won’t just be more streamlined, but feel as if they came from an open, honest place. Once we accomplish that, there’s no stopping how connected our world could be. (AJ Agrawal, www.forbes.com , 4 May 2017) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv