In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workplace, where new technologies and younger colleagues seem to take center stage, it’s easy for us older adults to feel like we’re being left behind.
Here’s the truth: age is not a barrier to building meaningful connections at work. In fact, your wealth of experience and wisdom can be a powerful asset in forging strong relationships that transcend generational gaps.
Want to know how to do that? There are tons of great resources out there, but we’ve gathered a few of our favorite books that walk you through the art of building connections at work, tailored specifically to the seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge to the table.
It’s time to reclaim your place in the network and thrive in the office.
How to Talk to Anyone at Work
Even if you were once the most confident person, it’s not uncommon to lose some of that as the world changes around us. Get your confidence back and get simple, yet effective strategies that can help you knock social awkwardness and self-doubt on the head.
In Carl Wolfe’s book How to Talk to Anyone at Work, you’ll learn how to apply simple communication techniques and connect deeper with those around you. You can even learn how to navigate more controversial topics.
Create Strong Relationships at Work
Do you find yourself in a leadership role and yet you don’t totally understand the people on your team? Make that easier by building a bridge between manager and employee to create a solid, trusting relationship. In Meet Me on the Bridge, Kimberly Sauceda shows us 9 bricks to make strong relationships and connections possible.
Those bricks start with the foundation of fostering trust, respect, and connection, changing conversations to be more open and collaborative, and then finally, building a culture of curiosity. Transform your relationships and your team.
Work with (Almost) Anyone
A lot of our daily happiness and success can come from our working relationships. And yet, we do almost nothing to foster and build those relationships. Take a more proactive approach with Michael Bungay Stanier’s book How to Work with (Almost) Anyone.
In this book, you’ll learn the 5 questions to ask and answer to start building a strong relationship. You’ll also learn how you can maintain the relationships you’ve built and even repair a soured one. This is the perfect place to start if you’ve been wanting to do better at work.
