A Boomer's Guide to Communicating with Gen X and Gen Y

As a Gen Xer who has worked in Silicon Valley for nearly a decade, I've been at small startups like Netflix and large corporations like Plantronics, where I'm currently manager of public relations. I've cheered on Gen Yers as they've entered the workforce and admired their self-confidence and willingness to push back on authority. (I know two who have actually requested new bosses!)

I've also seen boomers, as well as my own generation, fumble their communications with Gen Y. There are plenty of differences between Gen X and Gen Y, and it often falls on boomers to help both groups navigate the workplace. So here's a guide for dealing with younger members of the team.