Each generation has its unique strength and specific style at work. Your ability to understand and work well with older and younger colleagues will help you to flex your communication style for greater impact and influence. Baby Boomers, for example, will show superior interpersonal skills in the workplace. They know the value and the art of building and maintaining strong business relationships. Generation X’s strength, on the other hand, combines tech savvy and workplace experience. This group is in the best position to relate to its previous and subsequent generation – it is quite possibly the glue to the entire generational system. The Millennials, who are 30 and under, will be quick to embrace and leverage new technology. They can bring critically-needed fresh perspectives and new ideas to every team or task.

As I discuss in my book, “Taking the Leap: Managing your career in turbulent times and beyond,” communicating well always works, no matter the age of the person on the receiving end. If you are genuinely interested in understanding and working well with your colleagues and you communicate that, you are half way there.

Be sure to invest time in establishing commonality with the other generations.

The generation you were born into may always define you in some ways, but it never has to limit you; respecting that about yourself and others will brand you as “generation-proof.”

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