Your life is made up of letters. You had to learn “letters” to write, read and speak. You received “letters” in school that measured how well you knew what the teacher was talking about. And, college students, when you leave this place, you will be defined by a "generational letter” (X, Y or Z). For most of you, you are entering a workplace full of generational stereotypes. Your bosses and co-workers “know” you before they know you. Most of these stereotypes will focus on the negative, so how do you rise above? This TED Talk focuses on generational differences in the workplace and offers suggestions for employees and employers to navigate traditional generational characteristics. Dr. Michael G. Strawser is an assistant professor and Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Communication at Bellarmine University. He researches instructional and organizational communication as well as generational differences in both education and corporate contexts. Michael is also the owner/lead consultant of Legacy Communication Training and Consulting, L.L.C. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx