OFFICE WARS: Communication

How we communicate has always been a 'touchy' subject; it's like the boardroom, or Zoom room, has become a battleground of sorts, where we try to balance empathy, intent, and self-preservation. What may be considered by some common courtesy is being dissected and interpreted as overly sensitive. Meanwhile, direct statements are considered disrespectful. As generational dynamics continue to shift in the workplace, there's a clear divide and silent war on how we communicate, and the younger professionals are on the frontlines.

A Generational Divide in Communication Norms

For many Millennials and Gen Z, the rule of thumb we were taught was “treat everyone with the same respect” as we entered the working world. We were taught that hierarchy should not dictate basic decency, and it didn't matter if you were interacting with the janitor, the receptionist, or the CEO, you show the same level of respect, professionalism across the board.

Makes it interesting to note now that across professional and more recently personal interactions, we are told it's wrong to take this approach.

The very parental figures and leadership we engage with remind us, explicitly or implicitly, of their titles, tenure, or other accolades to support their belief that they are exempt from the standard terms of professional engagement. They'll complain that the younger generation is "lazy" for not wanting to take on tasks outside of their scope of work, or are considered too "title-focused" if they push for that promotion and title change "too quickly". All while opting out of work they "don't want to do" or worse, as a way to dodge accountability for their actions.

The Fragile Dance of Modern Communication

Today’s professionals are expected to maneuver this virtual minefield of carefully worded emails, polished Teams messages, and meetings where the voices of a select few hold more value and knowledge than the collective.

So, which is it? If we are intentional with our statements, we are considered combative, but if we tread carefully, we suddenly become “too soft.”

Ultimately, what we’re experiencing is a culture of mixed signals:

• Speak up, but don’t be too outspoken.

• Be authentic, but not too real.

• Communicate openly, but know your place.

• Respect everyone, but remember who’s boss.

Then we wonder why communicating with older generations feels more like survival than connection.

So, Is There a War on Communication in the office?

Abso-freaking-lutely!! Across all of these platforms used in office settings, we've stopped viewing communication as a tool for understanding and instead started using it as a way to manipulate the direction of conversations, creating unease and insecurity that has many second-guessing what they say and write, out of fear of being labeled "difficult" or "not a team player."

The solution? Let's recognize that titles, much like age, have their place in corporate communications. That's usually in a signature block or office birthday card, because what should come first is mutual respect. To build workplaces that actually well, WORK, we have to stop punishing people for communicating openly and honestly, regardless of who they are speaking to. The simple rule should be respect.