What are the best ways to adjust your persuasion style for different generations?

Excelent article! Certainly, this is a topic that we have to learn to connect, but it should be treated as a continuous improvement since things change over the years. In my view, this is a duty for all of us, regardless of whether you are a leader or a team member, a contractor or a contracted. We need to understand these differences to have empathy and treat people in the best way, always focusing on a win-win situation.

Each generation has a different way of thinking, mindset, way of reacting to certainly situations because of how the society evolves, how the culture changes and the way they are grown and the things they see around them. So it becomes very important to understand different generation and respect their gaps.

🌟 Understanding generational differences is key in effective persuasion! Tailoring your approach shows respect for diverse perspectives. 👥 Connect with Boomers: Leverage their experience. Share success stories from their era, emphasizing stability and tradition. 📱 Engage Gen X: Appeal to their independence. Showcase efficiency, autonomy, and the tangible benefits of your proposal. 🌐 Speak Millennial: Embrace innovation and social impact. Highlight technology, flexibility, and how your idea contributes to a better world. 🚀 Catch Gen Z’s Wave: Prioritize authenticity and social responsibility. Share real experiences, and let them be part of the bigger picture.

I say keep it simple and forget about age. That's just one dimension. Often times, deeper bonds are built through connecting on a subject, not a trait. It only gets weird if you think about it. Stick with the basics - Don't interrupt anyone, support statements with facts or people, and ask a lot of questions.These are signs of involvement that will help collaborate with anyone. Interject only with facts and avoid interjections through influence. No one feels unheard, everyone says what they want, and interjections are made only to draw focus back onto the goal. I like the blind exercise - Eyesight is a double-edged sword. In a world of the blind, one who judges on appearance alone is less able.

Irrespective of generations - all people want to do meaningful work. that is your first priority, ensuring all team members understand the value of the work, the impact the outcome has on the client / customer / community before internally focusing on what it means for each generation's interest. If you can make all feel valued, you will achieve the outcomes, irrespective of tailoring multiple narratives

In my training sessions, connecting with Baby Boomers becomes a voyage through the annals of program management. I weave tales of projects mirroring India's iconic structures, where longevity and legacy intertwine. Picture the narrative: a project unfolding akin to the timeless narratives etched on our ancient temples, fostering a profound connection between modern methodologies and the enduring spirit of our cultural heritage. 🏛️✨

As a Program Management Trainer, delving into the Gen X mindset feels like orchestrating a classic Bollywood plot. 🎬 They appreciate a script with substance—solid frameworks and systematic approaches. 📜 I often draw parallels with the evolution of the IT sector in India during the late '80s and '90s. 🇮🇳 Just like Gen X witnessed the tech boom, envisioning a project is akin to a Bollywood director envisioning a blockbuster; meticulous planning, a touch of drama, and a sprinkle of innovation. 🚀🎥

In the world of Program Management Training, connecting with Millennials (generation born between 1981 and 1996) requires them to adapt agile methodologies. 🔄💡 My training sessions often resonate with the spirit of India's startup revolution. 🇮🇳✨ We explore projects as if launching the next unicorn, tapping into their entrepreneurial zest. It's akin to orchestrating a seamless dance, where collaboration, innovation, and tech-savviness set the rhythm. 🚀🌐

Gen Z, born into the digital era, values concise, visual, and interactive communication. As a Program Management Trainer, adapt training content to short, engaging formats, incorporating visuals and technology-driven platforms. Example: Utilize project management apps and collaborative tools, fostering a tech-savvy learning environment. 📲💡🌐

It is important to tailor your persuasion approach to different generations. However, regardless of the generation you are dealing with, it is essential to actively listen and show respect. Use language and communication styles that are familiar to the particular generation you are addressing. When faced with resistance, take the time to understand the underlying reasons. To be successful in persuading, it is essential to immerse yourself into their world and not treat them how you want to be treated, but how they want to be treated.

Each target audience is mainly characterized by different habits, not necessarily what is good for them or right for them but what they are used to. In order to understand what is suitable for each audience, one must understand what the "automatic"/habits they are used to is. I'm not a big fan of artificial surveys or focus groups because they have less value bases on my experience and they can only be a supplementary tool. At the end of the day, the title in my eyes is product managers who know how to sit down with the target audience and locate them in the right places: universities for example for some of the population. Only high emotional intelligence product managers can promote a better understanding of fit for each group.

Irrespective of the generation, I find that people value and appreciate when you explain the reasons why you want them to go in a particular direction for the project. They may not agree with it but it helps them to know the rationale behind what you are asking them to do.