How can you build meaningful relationships with colleagues who are older than you?

Building meaningful relationships with older colleagues is crucial, especially in environments like the US Army, where I often guided teams with more experienced members. It is important to demonstrate respect for their experience through engaging questions, active listening, and acknowledging their accomplishments. This approach is exemplified in the US Army, where young lieutenants, fresh from West Point or ROTC, lead non-commissioned officers and soldiers much their senior. This dynamic fosters a culture where younger leaders receive guidance and support from their teams, allowing them to develop effective leadership styles. Mutual respect creates a robust, cohesive team where experience is leveraged for collective success.

In my experience Building meaningful relationships with senior colleagues involves active listening, showing genuine interest in their experiences, seeking their advice, and offering your assistance when required.Be kind full, respect their seniority, open to their guidance and support.

1. Mutual Respect is the primary binding factor for any meaningful relationship. 2. When we want to connect with people older than us, pay attention to their experience, understand the contexts in which they operated, succeeded, failed and how they bounced back. 3. Ask them how they will handle a situation 10 years back that we are handling today, which will give us an altogether different perspective. 4. Go with open mind. Never try to prove that we know better than them as we have better access to the new age technologies.

to take a moment to emphasize the importance of recognizing and appreciating our older employees in the organization. These individuals have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can greatly benefit our team. It is crucial that we make a conscious effort to acknowledge their contributions and seek their insights. Let's make sure we create an inclusive and supportive environment that values the wisdom and expertise of our older colleagues.

Colegas mais velhos adoram contar histórias, enquanto os jovens n?o gostam de ouvir.... somente escutam!!! Acredito ser exatamente o ponto chave para um bom relacionamento entre estas gera??es. Um bom ambiente de trabalho se constrói pelos alicerces dos relacionamentos e intera??es.

When approaching a new role or a new challenge, seeking insights from a senior leader can help you avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes. Most senior leaders are willing to share their experiences. One way to do this is to ask for a meeting where they can reflect on a similar role or task, and where you can share your initial thoughts and perspectives about what’s ahead for you. Then you frame up specific questions about key areas where you seek guidance. You might also ask if they know of others who might provide additional insights. That connection could expand your perspective and add a valuable new contact to your network.

Approach them for advice or mentorship. Respectfully ask for their perspectives on work-related matters. Their guidance can offer valuable insights and help bridge any knowledge gaps.

Don't hesitate to ask for advice or mentorship. Older colleagues can offer guidance based on their experiences that can be invaluable in navigating workplace challenges. This also shows that you value their expertise and view them as important resources.

Seeking the guidance of more experienced coworkers is one of the quickest ways become better at your position. Yes, you bring a different perspective and are probably more "in tune" with modern business movements, and all of that is valuable. Now, imagine that you have the benefit of 20+ years of results of ways things have been tried and failed or succeeded. This is what your older colleagues bring to the table - they were there when a certain initiative was born and the lessons they learned can inform your new ideas. Combine extensive experience with modern business initiatives and you will be bringing the next impactful ideas forward at your company.

Um relacionamento leva tempo para ser desenvolvido. Criar relacionamentos mais profundos no ambiente de trabalho, requer vontade genuína de conhecer as outras pessoas e, principalmente, saber como acrescentar valor à vida delas.

It is my belief that by sharing our individual insights and experiences, we can foster a collaborative environment where we continuously learn from one another. I greatly appreciate seniors expertise and the wealth of knowledge they bring it to the table.

Most of the leaders I interacted are very open to new ideas, however silly we think it is. But be confident on your thoughts and perspectives. Do enough homework before putting it forward. Put enough points why it is great and also possible risks/challenges that you foresee in your own idea. They should not feel it as shallow thoughts.

Engage in discussions and share your thoughts or fresh perspectives. Respectfully contribute your ideas to projects or discussions. Your unique viewpoint can enrich conversations and foster a culture of collaboration.

Actuamente la dinámica empresarial demanda trabajos en equipo, dejando de lado el individualismo y comenzando a interactuar con profesionales de las diversas interdisciplinas. Es indiferente la edad. Lo importante es el liderazgo, su amplitud mental, la aptitud para admitir disensos, adaptarse a lo que demanda el mercado, dejando de lado individualismos y trabajando muy bien el ego. La humildad, el escuchar, comprender y ser responsables, es el camino que nos llevará a cumplir con nuestros objetivos.

Tan importante es el contenido como el continente...De personas con más experiencia podemos apoyarnos a la hora de mostrar nuestras ideas. Siempre nos darán un punto de vista que nosotros aún no hemos vivido pero ellos tienen " el culpable pelado"

Absolutely! Celebrating the milestones of senior colleagues is a wonderful way to acknowledge their achievements and contributions, while also fostering a positive and supportive work culture. Encourage them for consistently demonstrating dedication, expertise, and leadership. Appreciate them for the guidance and learning they provide us through out their carrier.

Furthermore, when you celebrate your senior colleagues' milestones, you not only acknowledge their achievements but also tap into a valuable source of wisdom and experience. Use these occasions as an opportunity for knowledge sharing and mentoring. Encourage them to reflect on their journey and share insights with the team. It's a way to not only express appreciation but also foster a culture of continuous learning and growth within your organization. This mutual exchange of respect and wisdom between generations can create a harmonious work environment where everyone benefits from each other's unique perspectives and contributions.

Celebrating the milestones of your senior leadership is a meaningful way to show appreciation.Take the opportunity to publicly acknowledge your senior leader's achievements during team meetings, company-wide communications, or in a newsletter. Plan a celebration event, such as a team lunch, dinner, or a small gathering. This provides a more personal setting to express congratulations and allows team members to share their appreciation directly. Collaborate with team members to create a tribute video expressing appreciation and highlighting key achievements. This could include testimonials, messages of thanks, and visual representations of milestones. Invite team members to contribute their thoughts, stories,

Es muy importante para todos los que poseemos un trabajo, oficio o profesión que exista una comunidad sólida, compacta y empática en nuestro lugar de trabajo. No es lo mismo pasar inadvertido un cumplea?os de un integrante del staff, el estrecharle la mano, abrazarlo y felicitarlo cuando se perfeccionó y logró un objetivo, o cuando se retira de la actividad para pasar a su ciclo de pasividad. La empatia es necesaria en todas las organizaciones dado que nos ayuda a crecer en comunidad, a valorar a nuestros pares, a ser agradecidos con ellos, como, de igual modo, si transitan por un período difícil en lo personal o profesional, que sepa que cuenta con el apoyo de sus pares.

Acknowledge and celebrate their career milestones or personal achievements. Recognizing their accomplishments demonstrates your appreciation and fosters a positive rapport.

Penso que a diversidade é a nossa melhor mentora. Ideias diferentes, culturas diferentes, gera??es diferentes… a diferen?a amplia nossas percep??es e nos desafia a olhar para fora de nossas referências. E olhar além de nossos próprios umbigos é condi??o sine qua non para uma lideran?a servidora .

Embrace the diversity of experiences and perspectives. Appreciate the differences in approaches and viewpoints that come with age diversity. This inclusive attitude cultivates a rich and dynamic work environment.

The best way to build meaningful relationships with elder colleagues would be through a servant leadership lens. Begin with adopting an empathetic and attentive approach. Demonstrating a sincere interest in their professional journey, actively engaging in purposeful dialogue, and acknowledging the wealth of their experience can serve as a foundation for authentic rapport. As a servant leader, prioritize understanding their unique perspectives and needs, fostering an inclusive environment that values their contributions.

En mi opinión, la base para un equipo fuerte radica en lo diferente de los contextos que tiene y aporta cada uno de los miembros puesto que esto nos permite observar nuevos puntos de vista y enriquecernos de los mismos.

Moreover, embracing diversity not only promotes inclusivity but also fosters innovation and creativity within the workplace. Your older colleagues bring a wealth of experience and perspectives that can lead to unique solutions and ideas. Encourage open dialogues where different viewpoints are valued, and create opportunities for collaborative projects that leverage the strengths of the multi-generational team. By doing so, you not only strengthen your relationships with older colleagues but also harness the power of diversity to drive positive change and growth within your organization.

Consider individual preferences and boundaries. Some colleagues may prefer more formal interactions, while others might appreciate casual chats. Also, be patient and allow relationships to evolve naturally over time. Building relationships with older colleagues involves a blend of respect, openness to learning, appreciation for diversity, and genuine interest in their experiences. Balancing these elements contributes to a harmonious and mutually beneficial work environment.

Outro aspecto importante é superarmos preconceitos e estereótipos que colocam as pessoas em "caixinhas". Muitas das características elencadas para as gera??es diversas, tem muito mais rela??o com o momento de vida e os interesses do que com a gera??o da qual ela faz parte. é certo que os impactos históricos de cada época s?o inegáveis, mas no fim, somos todos seres humanos, buscando por pertencimento, respeito, felicidade e sucesso! Considere isso!

Try to find mutual interests, it might sound strange but most of the time suprisingly there are things you might have in common. Don’t overstep (social)boundaries. The team/group culture is one thing to focus your attention on. Specially when you’re the new member of the team, get to know the vibe and the informal rules… In some teams the older members are the ‘leaders’ in some teams they might just be the ones with the most experience but not the ones to lead… shared succeses are one of the keys to succes to overcome the age-gap.

To build meaningful relationships with older colleagues, it's crucial to respect their experience and knowledge, communicate effectively, and find common ground. Show a willingness to learn from them and collaborate on projects, as working together can foster understanding and respect. It's also important to appreciate their contributions, be patient with any generational differences, and engage in workplace social activities to strengthen bonds. Sharing professional development interests and seeking regular feedback can also demonstrate your commitment to growth and respect for their expertise. Ultimately, consistent and genuine interactions are key to forming lasting, meaningful relationships.

Being 58, and on the 'vintage' spectrum of this question (in my opinion), I have been on both sides of this - as a young teacher, seeking the mentorship of older educators was invaluable during my teaching career, and being that same mentor now to younger educators is not only a goal, but a passion. It's important to acknowledge that human development doesn't happen in a vacuum. People need people. It's a beautiful thing to reach down after reaching up.