How can you network effectively with professionals who are older than you?

I think we have to be very careful not to generalize here. Even the term "older professional" is relative (a 40-year-old may seem very 'senior to a 22-year-old for example). That said, we know from research that despite often being slower to access information as we age beyond around 30 years of age, our ability to think contextually across many areas improves -this is the basis for much wisdom to be gained if we are patient enough to listen long enough for it to emerge!

Age really doesn't matter. There should be a common interest to respectfully share and learn from each other. Be interested and interesting. That always makes for great conversation.

I am approached regularly by college students, recent grads, and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in collaborating or hearing my origin story as it pertains to the businesses I launched/invested in. I suppose as I age, I am becoming one of those "older professionals" and definitely have my list of things to things to avoid. - don't look at your phone every minute when a text message comes through. There is nothing worse that feeling like the other party is uninterested in what you have to say. - focus your messaging - show sincere interest in the individual you are communicating with - eye contact, restating what is shared, conscientious of time, etc. There is so much more, but LI limits my character count :). JPB

Come with a “learning agenda” that puts the onus on you for doing the work. I am often asked to meet with young professionals who are seeking advice and some kind of help. Much easier when they come at me for advice and without asking me to shoulder the work load. It also helps when they send that agenda beforehand.

I think age is irrelevant! Be present! Show interest! Be respectful! Be interested! Be genuine! Networking is about the opportunity to meet someone again and to build long term relationships! It's vital that our networks have a cross section of people from different ages, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences!

Allez, on continue dans les poncifs, youpi ! "Montrez votre curiosité" ? Mais bien sur : adoptez la posture d'un caniche, n'oubliez pas vos yeux candides d'imbéciles (parce que vous être jeune et que vous voulez "réseauter" avec un vieux). N'oubliez pas non plus de lui proposer une verveine pour qu'il ne se déshydrate pas et écoutez avec un air béat son merveilleux partage d'expérience. Par contre, big news : tous les "professionnels âgés" ne sont pas "une mine de connaissances". Et non, parce que ce sont des humains, et qu'il y en a des bons, et aussi des nuls. "La valeur n'attend point le nombre des années." C'est du Pierre Corneille et ça vient du Cid : on va retenir ça et ce sera déjà pas mal.

Demonstrar curiosidade é essencial ao se relacionar com profissionais mais velhos. Faça perguntas e ouça atentamente, aproveitando a riqueza de conhecimento que têm a oferecer. Compartilhe seus insights, mas mantenha uma mente aberta, evitando arrogância. Mostrar interesse genuíno em suas histórias e experiências evidencia que busca aprendizado, não apenas favores ou oportunidades de emprego rápidas.

Soyez vous même ! C’est certainement ce qu’attendent vos interlocuteurs ! Dans la durée vous resterez dans les premiers. Fini les « moi je »!

In my experience, showing our curiosity and appreciation for the contributions of older professionals and mentors can go a long way. ✨ More often than not, older professionals have a greater understanding of their industry and can be a vast resource of knowledge and connections. Being curious and asking them questions about how they started in the industry and how they overcame challenges can be very helpful and will give you an advantage over your non-curious peers. 🦋😉🦋

Un fenómeno interesante que está dándose ahora mismo y que lleva ocurriendo unos cuantos años es el desplazamiento silencioso de los milennials como generación más joven en las empresas (y en la vida real). Ahora, los milennial coexistimos con generaciones mayores que nosotros (los incomprendidos boomer, la olvidada generación x) y los más jóvenes (los efervescentes generación z). A los millenial nos toca hacer el esfuerzo de no ser ni paternalistas con los boomer ni prejuiciosos con los z, pues una vez fuimos jóvenes y algún día seremos senior. Actitud positiva y proactiva y, sobre todo, mucha curiosidad y ganas de aprender más.

I have found in my 45 years on this earth that when you are authentic, respectful, and have integrity... this transcends any age or cultural differences 99%of the time. There will always be the one person who for some unknown reason just won't like you or will try to make life difficult. Don't let this bother you though as you can't make everyone happy. Just a hard truth. So to sum it up, in my experience I have found, treat people like you want to be treated, look out for others, and even when you make mistakes or fail.. Dust yourself off, pick yourself up and then just do the Next Right thing. Always do the Next Right thing and you will do well.

Une fois, au travail, Roger de la compta, alors âgé de 112 ans, s'est fait berner par Mick du Commercial sur sa note de frais extravagante. Donc, non, les professionnels âgés ne peuvent pas tous sentir quand quelqu'un est faux. Allo Houston ? On a un gros problème de guideline sur cet appel à contribution. Vite, resservons une verveine aux vieux professionnels avant qu'ils ne deviennent tout sec, sinon on ne pourra pas réseauter avec le 19e siècle !

Cela m'arrive très souvent de collaborer avec des personnes plus agées que moi. Et ça fonctionne parce que je suis authentique. A la fois force de propositions et ouverte à leur expérience. La bonne solution est souvent au milieu!

Toutes plus improbables les unes que les autres ces sollicitations Linkedin… Au moins tu nous fais rire Béatrice Knoeplfer, c’est toujours ça de gagné.

En ocasiones nos preocupa parecer que somos diferentes, aunque tampoco es de extrañar porque el modelo educativo nos ha enseñado a entrar en un molde que anula gran parte de nuestras singularidades. El miedo a ser juzgado o a equivocarnos hace que queramos pasar desapercibidos (muestra de ello es que solo un 1% de los usuarios de Linkedin crea/comparte contenido), y eso nos quita nuestro color, dejamos de lado nuestra singularidad, abandonamos nuestra genuidad y aquello que nos hace destacar nuestra "marca personal". Es esencial que seamos fieles a nuestros valores y actuemos con coherencia y consonancia a ellos, siempre con respeto y tolerancia hacia los demás, aunque puedan parecer poco comunes o impopulares.

Birds of a feather tend to flock together. At industry events the older people may be catch up with other older people in their network known to them by virtue of entering the industry, attending Uni together etc. Be courageous (fortune favours the brave!) and politely introduce yourself, they’ll be glad to meet you.

Il est vrai que le vieux professionnel est comme une plante dont il faut prendre soin : l'arroser régulièrement avec une décoction de verveine permet de lui maintenir le poil brillant. C'est un excellent moyen pour continuer à "réseauter". Mais attention à ne pas changer le goût de ses croquettes, si c'est saumon un jour, c'est saumon toujours. Ne vous risquez surtout pas à traiter le "vieux pro" comme un humain, ça risquerait de faire de vous un humain qui se demanderait comment on peut imaginer poser une question aussi abyssalement stupide que "comment réseauter avec des professionnels plus âgés (edit : le "que vous" a été rajouté post sollicitation de contribution) ?"

Un conseil ? Ayez un fichier de suivi. Sur Excel ou notion, peu importe. Même papier. Notez vos contacts. Notez la date de dernière prise de nouvelle. Supprimez les gens au fur et à mesure. Si vous ne leur avez pas envoyés un message ou un appel durant les 3 derniers mois. Supprimez les. Et ajoutez en des nouveaux. Vous me remercierez. Faire un suivi, c’est l’assurance d’avoir un réseau ULTRA qualitatif.

Find a way to be formerly introduced by someone older than you who will serve as a guarantee of your maturity and seriousness.

O acompanhamento é crucial para construir e manter conexões com profissionais mais velhos. Envie um e-mail de agradecimento, conecte-se no LinkedIn ou faça um telefonema. Compartilhe conteúdo relevante e evite ser insistente, respeitando seus limites. Ao demonstrar comprometimento, mostra que valoriza a contribuição deles e está aberto ao feedback, orientação ou referências.

Do keep in mind that just because they are older than you does not mean that they don’t think and act like younger people. I know of some much older mentors who are so more energetic and so much more innovative than their younger counterparts. So, don’t put them in the box labeled as “old(er)📦. 🦋😊🦋

I consider networking and learning as a two-way street. Older and younger professionals can both have mutually insightful conversations. While the older people can share their experience and wisdom, the younger ones can share innovative ideas. As older than many, if not most, of the people in any given networking occasion, nothing turns me off more than a younger person behaving in a smart-aleck manner! I don't buy the argument that millennials and Gen-Z should be allowed the space to express themselves in "any which way they feel comfortable"; they must behave respectfully, especially when dealing with people who are senior to them in age and experience!

It is easy to slip into a place where we categorize people by age, but that is dangerous. Every individual brings a unique skill set and experience to the table. If we focus on age, we are focused on labeling and assumptions that go along with those labels. Instead, get to know every contributer for what their strengths are. Listen to them, reach out to them, learn their background, and practice active listening. This is the path to a truly collaborative environment, where you can make all parties heard and appreciated. We are lucky to work in a multi-generational workplace. Some older employees may be starting a new career and some seemingly younger employees may have years of experience. All of us have knowledge to impart.

I don’t subscribe to the opinion that older generation has to offer experience and the younger one innovation. Creativity and expertise, life experience shouldn’t be age specific. And it’s really not. There are extremely inventive minds well into their senior age and also young people with rich past who gained proficiency through an intensive learning process. Stereotyping is not beneficial when our intention is to build bridges over the age gap or whatever other differences.

La clave radica en el respeto mutuo y la apertura para aprender de experiencias más amplias. En mi experiencia por haber sido y ya no ser el joven , he encontrado que la humildad y el deseo genuino de aprender son cruciales al interactuar con profesionales de mayor edad. Reconocer que cada individuo, sin importar la edad, aporta perspectivas valiosas, es fundamental para construir relaciones sólidas. He aprendido que la diversidad de perspectivas enriquece nuestras estrategias y planes. Aprovechar la sabiduría (el cúmulo de conocimiento adquirido al pasar de los años) de profesionales mayores no solo contribuye al desarrollo personal, sino que también potencia la toma de decisiones empresariales. "Viejo es el viento y aún sopla"