As the workforce is flooded with Millennials, it’s important to understand what it means for these young people to be digital natives. Traditionalists, Boomers, and Xers have seen lots of change in their lifetime,  and they are working alongside Millennials who don’t remember a time before email and social media.

Millennials have grown up as the first generation of digital natives. Communication for them has always been a natural and connective tool. While their Xer siblings may have been the first to have personal computers, Millennials have had access to the Internet, cell phones, and e-mail since they were in diapers. The world of
information is at their fingertips and they pride themselves on being able to find information at Mach Speed.

They have naturally been making paths into global diplomacy from random e-mail pen pals around the world in first grade to visiting the corners of the world through the virtual highway of the World Wide Web. For Millennials, communication is all about 24/7 access, self expression, and getting it done fast. They don’t wait for anything (or anyone). They feel they just need to give you enough information for you to get to the meat of the matter, and that’s it.

How does this differ from the views of other generations? Take a look at what each generation views as powerful.

Traditionalists: Relationships are power
Boomers: Holding information is power
Xers: Sharing information is power
Millennials: Knowing where and how to access information fast is power

In understanding what it means to be a digital native, both Millennials and non-Millennials can understand each other’s perspectives and thus have better working relationships.