Answer to Question 1
Answer: Dramatically different world events, social trends, and technological advances have shaped the four generations. Therefore, each generation brings its own perspective into the workplace. Since people tend to resist change, they often assume that the way they're doing something must be the best way to do it. Moreover, diverse generations sometimes feel competitive pressures for resources, influence, control, and jobs. The result can be tension, mistrust, conflict, and communication breakdowns. The multiple generations in the workplace present another dimension of diversitydifferent communication habits. For instance, Generation Y workers often prefer to communicate via short electronic messages; however, Baby Boomers and Generation Xers may find these brief messages abrupt and impersonal.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: Not all cultures share the same perspective on ethical issues. During intercultural communication, it's important to seek mutual ground by being flexible and not insisting that everything happen in terms of one culture or another. Sending and receiving messages without judgment is also vital: Both parties must recognize that values vary among cultures and that trust is essential. In addition, messages should be honest. Both parties have to recognize their own cultural biases. Finally, for ethical intercultural communication to occur, the stakeholders must show respect for cultural differences. Avoiding ethnocentrism allows both parties to understand and acknowledge each other's needs and preserve mutual dignity.