By Neal Glatt

Have you ever been confused by the tone of an email or had a recipient misunderstand your intentions?  Crossed lines in text-based communication is somehow both a timeless issue and a wholly new phenomenon introduced by the rise of modern technology.  But this week I learned about perhaps the newest way in which young workers are feeling alienated by unwitting text messages - and it just might be the reason they’re disengaged.  If you work with anyone under the age of 35, here’s what you need to know:

Ending a text message with a period sends the message to young workers that the sender is upset, unreasonable, stern, serious, or passive-aggressive.  Of course, older workers view concluding a text with a period as utilizing proper grammar to end a complete thought.  You probably feel very strongly one way or the other and it almost certainly telegraphs which side of 35 your age falls on.

Here’s the reality of the situation - communication is based on norms that are mutually agreed upon by societies.  But in an age where communication modes are changing rapidly (the first text message wasn’t sent until 1992) it should be no surprise that the norms surrounding communication are also changing rapidly.  Unfortunately, our modern society seems to be changing at such a rapid pace that norms are rarely discussed or agreed upon because we’re too busy.

For managers, it’s important to seek feedback from our direct reports on our communication methods and results to ensure no crossed lines.  Continuously sending a message that we’re not open to ideas from young workers - subconsciously, subtextually, or otherwise - will inevitably wear on them and reduce workplace productivity.  

Imagine if your boss always spoke to you in the same tone that people use for puppies and babies.  How would you feel?  Would you go above and beyond?  Or would you start looking for another job?

Yet older managers are always quick to tell me how dumb this all is and how they were taught the importance of proper grammar.  And for these people, I’ll share the wisdom of Alvin Toffler who said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”  

Here at Grow The Bench, we’re dedicated to helping you learn new skills, unlearn bad habits and inherited false ideas, and relearn how to succeed in the new age of workers.  If you are feeling like what you’ve always known isn’t working perhaps it’s time to check out courses and fight off modern illiteracy.