Social Interaction Differences: Millennials vs. Baby Boomers

Introduction

When it comes to social interaction differences between Millennials and Baby Boomers, there is much to be said. Millennials are digital natives who have grown up with social media. Boomers came to technology later in life and have embraced it to some extent, though not quite to the same level as Millennials. In the workplace, among family and friends, and in terms of digital communication, Millennials and Baby Boomers interact socially in ways that are both similar and different. This paper discusses and describes those ways.

Social Interaction in the Workplace

One of the main points to remember with regard to Boomers is that they grew up with face-to-face interaction and value being able to communicate in person (Venter, 2017). Millennials are much more willing to engage in virtual communication or to work in virtual workplaces (Ngotngamwong, 2019). However, there is an important difference between Millennials and Boomers in the workplace related to organizational commitment: Boomers are more likely to value commitment to a single employer, while Millennials are more likely to change jobs multiple times in order to work their way up the corporate ladder or to find a position that suits them well (Ngotngamwong, 2019). Boomers tend to have an unfavorable view of Millennials, whom they view as "irresponsible, unreliable, stubborn, impatient, overly confident, frequently using their phones, and not listening to their superiors" (Ngotngamwong, 2019, p. 62). Millennials do not view themselves in this manner, however, and feel that they are lively and valuable to whatever company employs them. They like to interact in meaningful ways and want to have a positive impact on the development of the company (Ngotngamwong, 2019). Boomers, meanwhile, are more likely to embrace the status quo and to value stability. They do not like to take risks or push the company in new directions the way Millennials tend to do. This difference in how the two generations approach the workplace can create social tension and presents a challenge for managers tasked with overseeing both groups (Stewart, Oliver, Cravens, & Oishi, 2017).

Boomers believe that Millennials act as though they are entitled, while Millennials believe that Boomers are unwilling to relinquish their positions or make room for the younger generation (Ngotngamwong, 2019). These beliefs create conflict in the workplace and make it difficult for the two groups to bridge the generation gap. Managers must find ways to help the two groups learn to appreciate one another (Stewart et al., 2017). In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were ample opportunities for these two groups to come together. With more employees working virtually from home, there was an increased need for platforms such as Zoom, where face-to-face virtual meetings take place over the Internet. The merger of technology with face-to-face communication methods offers one avenue for overcoming the divide between the two generations.

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