What do you do if your thought leadership is undermined by age bias?

Age bias stings, but don't let it disarm you. 1) Future Focus: Become a resident of "futureland." Deep dive into current trends and translate them into actionable insights that resonate with a forward-thinking audience. 2) Adaptability: Don't be a one-trick pony. Publicly showcase your ability to learn and adapt. Take online courses, attend industry events focused on emerging technologies, and share your learnings with your audience. 3) Results speak volumes. Quantify the impact of your past projects and ongoing work. Did your strategy increase sales by 20%? Showcase it! 4)Cross-Generational Collaboration 5) Network Like a Pro Remember, age is a weapon in your arsenal, not a shield against progress.

Framing the issue as an opportunity to reach new audiences can be affirming for the sender and receiver. The sender could consider identifying the 1-2 mediums that are best suited for recalibrating their core message for new audiences.

Though it may be easier said than done, staying objective, inquisitive, and committing to not taking any indications of undermine personally can be key here. Remain objective and recognize that age bias can reveal itself within any professional context—though it’s happening to you, it’s likely not specifically about you. Stay inquisitive about the root cause by considering what experiences may be informing the age bias that you’re encountering. Last, but certainly not least, rise to the challenge. In all scenarios, one should strive to be a value add. Scenarios involving age bias can also serve as an invitation to demonstrate your unique knowledge, skills, and abilities in a manner that enhances those that you’re working alongside.

David Burkus’ “Friend of a Friend” provides a fresh point of view on the power of activating dormant ties. These are individuals in our network who are not in front us, hence a friend of a friend. This idea to networking could be repurposed relative to age gaps in one’s network.

One of the strongest swimmers I ever swam with was a farmer in his 70s. His technique was impeccable because he prioritized hip mobility and strength. He shared that this insight was the result from a master class he took with an Olympian. An opportunity that lies in continuous learning is the chance to bolster an already great foundation.

Results over time (years to decades) provide an awesome opportunity for marriage to the latest data visualization tools, which can illustrate impact in powerful, fresh ways.

Age bias is almost exclusively relative. You're old to a younger person, and you're young to an older person. The narrative needs to be reframed to take into account the age that is in front of you, state experience in front of an older person, and state boldness in front of a younger one. Another easy way would be to only focus on data, the impact of your work, and nothing else.

For teams with multiple dimensions of diversity, the end result can be easier to accomplish because coverage gaps are reduced. The path to victory can be faster due to the increased efficiency, resulting from a widened problem-solving radius.