Creating An Open Dialogue At Work Can Help With Ageism Advice
It’s important to create an open dialogue with the people that you work with. That applies to your boss, your co-workers, your HR department, and leaders within your organization.
It doesn’t matter at what point on the career ladder you are, you should have fluid conversations with those higher than you and those lower than you within the organization – and those conversations should be honest.
By creating an open dialogue the moment you start in a new role, you will open the door for future difficult conversations if you should ever need to have them. For example, difficult conversations about ageism become easier when you have already created an open dialogue with each of these individuals who can lend a hand, or simply an ear, when it becomes necessary.
It’s not just about creating open dialogue, it’s also about creating trust and allies. There may come a time in your career where you need help breaking past an ageist stereotype, or dealing with age bias. These individuals have that you have fostered relationships with will be on hand to help you determine he best course of action for each scenario you face.
You should think of these individuals as your in-office mentors. Having external mentors is great, but these in-office mentors know the inner-workings of your company, they know contacts in their work circle who you can reach out to, and they have their own in-office mentors or allies that they can consult.
Plus, if you have created an open and honest dialogue with those around you at work, you will be able to hear how they handle their own work conflicts. Perhaps they have suffered age bias also, and you will get to hear first-hand how they dealt with it before deciding how to handle your own ageism situation.
There is always something to learn from every person you come in contact with. Even situations they have dealt with that aren’t an exact match with your situations can lend ideas and advice.
In addition to open dialogue, don’t forget to take notes. If you keep track of advice, suggestions, or similar stories, you will have items to refer back to if needed. That way, dealing with age bias, and other work conflicts that arise, becomes easier.
Learn from the past and present to change your future. Learn from others to impact yourself.
Ageism can be detrimental, don’t try to go at it alone.
