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How to gain respect from more experienced co-workers
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I just finished my undergrad for college, and started my new job at a tech company. Most of my co-workers are 20, 30, or 40 years older than me. It seems like my status of being a fresh college graduate and/or my young age may have an influence on the amount of respect I get when presenting ideas. Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
colleagues
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
I just finished my undergrad for college, and started my new job at a tech company. Most of my co-workers are 20, 30, or 40 years older than me. It seems like my status of being a fresh college graduate and/or my young age may have an influence on the amount of respect I get when presenting ideas. Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
colleagues
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
27
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
1
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
2
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
1
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
6
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
I just finished my undergrad for college, and started my new job at a tech company. Most of my co-workers are 20, 30, or 40 years older than me. It seems like my status of being a fresh college graduate and/or my young age may have an influence on the amount of respect I get when presenting ideas. Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
colleagues
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
I just finished my undergrad for college, and started my new job at a tech company. Most of my co-workers are 20, 30, or 40 years older than me. It seems like my status of being a fresh college graduate and/or my young age may have an influence on the amount of respect I get when presenting ideas. Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
colleagues
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
edited Jan 23 '14 at 12:02
Neuromancer
45938
45938
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
asked Jan 22 '14 at 20:23
V-Why
11114
11114
27
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
1
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
2
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
1
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
6
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03
 |Â
show 1 more comment
27
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
1
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
2
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
1
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
6
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03
27
27
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
1
1
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
2
2
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
1
1
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
6
6
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03
 |Â
show 1 more comment
7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
up vote
25
down vote
accepted
In any new job, you should take time to build a reputation as someone who knows what he or she is doing before starting to suggest changes. You also need to to listen first and find out why thing are done the way they are. Some things you want to change many have regulatory or legal or economic reasons why they can't be changed. Or some things may be dictated by the client. Right now you are fresh out of school, why should they listen to you? There is so much you don't know yet. You need to concentrate on building a reputation as someone who delivers good quality work on schedule to have any chance of effectively changing an organization. They have to trust your judgement before you can be effective in driving change.
When you have an age gap, then you have to work harder to prove yourself. Consider that anyone older than 5 years from your age is an alien and you won't go far wrong. Their viewpoints are very different from yours and their experience is very different. Take some time to learn about their viewpoints before charging in to change things.
And remember when you decide to start proposing changes that it is very likely you are proposing the changes to the people who set up the current system. You will get resistance to change, that is close to 100% guaranteed. So you have to know the people well enough to know what kind of arguments will sway them to change.
First hint, logical arguments never trump emotional ones and emotional arguments disguised as logical ones are the most effective. You need to find an emotional reason they can hook to in order to get people to change. They want to know what is in it for them or they want to know what pain you will take away if the change happens.
Timing helps too. Right after a major disaster that could have been avoided if you had... is one of the best times to make a suggestion. This is when people are looking for something they can change to in order to explain to higher ups how they will avoid this type of problem in the future. At the start of a new project is also a good time to suggest and implement changes. Two weeks from the delivery of a major release to prod when everyone is working overtime and tired and cranky is not a good time. especially if it will cause more work in the short-term.
Another thing that helps is not trying to change more than one thing at a time. Start small and have a track record of successful ideas implemented before tackling the big ones. And even then, do it is pieces. Most people have difficulty handling too much change at one time.
People who have held one job a long time may have seen a lot of potential changes come and go. Many of them were bad ideas and caused them more work than not changing would have. They may have even tried what you are suggesting and had it fail miserably not just once but several times. This is the attitude you are going to face going in with a new proposal. You have to give them a reason to change.
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
Give respect to gain respect. This applies even in scenarios where you join a company at a senior position and have reports who have been working there for a while.
As someone just out of school, accomplish what is thrown at you first and then look for additional opportunities.
In a technology company, you might have to spend 5/6 months working on something before you start coming up with ideas that others have not considered previously. Work through the idea on your own, and then present to someone who is willing to listen. Use their assistance to sell the idea and credit them appropriately.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
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up vote
7
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Balance your zeal for proving yourself with the willingness to ask "why" (and sometimes, to leave things as they are). There is going to be plenty of stuff going on that your professors never taught you (and possibly never knew), and that you can only begin to understand by having to deal with under real-world constraints like time, money, and office politics.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
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up vote
4
down vote
With competence; and lots of it.
- Do your work and do it well.
- More experienced coworkers will notice, and you will be respected.
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
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up vote
3
down vote
The respect you get will depend on two things: you, and your colleagues. Some people are open-minded, happy to listen to ideas from anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or training, are able to judge those ideas on their merits, and will engage the creator constructively. Other people are less open to change. Do not expect other people to behave rationally all the time, or to be willing to evaluate your ideas objectively. Some will, and some won't. Not everyone thinks like you do.
You want to pitch your ideas to the most open-minded people first. If you aren't sure who to talk to, then it's probably best to stop talking until you figure that out. If you find that none of your colleagues are interested in your ideas, and can't provide any constructive criticism, then you may want to consider a change in situation. Some teams are perfectly happy doing what they are doing, and will shoot down any suggestions until the roof is caving in.
You may be interested in reading Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
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up vote
3
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You gain respect by earning it. You make contribution to your work to earn the respect from others, regardless they are more experienced or less experienced. You contribute to your workplace by working. You help your team and your company to succeed. You maintain the integrity at work. You follow procedures. You are not late arriving at meetings, . . . I hope you get my idea here. You keep being a good worker, others will naturally respect you.
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
Be respectful of your peers. They have a lot of knowledge they can share with you from a technical and business perspective, and most will as long as you don't come across like a know it all. You will always have one or two folks who for one reason or another do not like to share information or help others. Do not waste your efforts on these folks.
The other thing you can do to earn respect is to work hard. Do some research on your own before seeking help from a more senior team member. This show that you are willing to put in the time necessary to be good at your job, while showing respect to your more senior member's time.
If you do these two things, you will find the respect your looking for.
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
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protected by Jim G. Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
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7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
25
down vote
accepted
In any new job, you should take time to build a reputation as someone who knows what he or she is doing before starting to suggest changes. You also need to to listen first and find out why thing are done the way they are. Some things you want to change many have regulatory or legal or economic reasons why they can't be changed. Or some things may be dictated by the client. Right now you are fresh out of school, why should they listen to you? There is so much you don't know yet. You need to concentrate on building a reputation as someone who delivers good quality work on schedule to have any chance of effectively changing an organization. They have to trust your judgement before you can be effective in driving change.
When you have an age gap, then you have to work harder to prove yourself. Consider that anyone older than 5 years from your age is an alien and you won't go far wrong. Their viewpoints are very different from yours and their experience is very different. Take some time to learn about their viewpoints before charging in to change things.
And remember when you decide to start proposing changes that it is very likely you are proposing the changes to the people who set up the current system. You will get resistance to change, that is close to 100% guaranteed. So you have to know the people well enough to know what kind of arguments will sway them to change.
First hint, logical arguments never trump emotional ones and emotional arguments disguised as logical ones are the most effective. You need to find an emotional reason they can hook to in order to get people to change. They want to know what is in it for them or they want to know what pain you will take away if the change happens.
Timing helps too. Right after a major disaster that could have been avoided if you had... is one of the best times to make a suggestion. This is when people are looking for something they can change to in order to explain to higher ups how they will avoid this type of problem in the future. At the start of a new project is also a good time to suggest and implement changes. Two weeks from the delivery of a major release to prod when everyone is working overtime and tired and cranky is not a good time. especially if it will cause more work in the short-term.
Another thing that helps is not trying to change more than one thing at a time. Start small and have a track record of successful ideas implemented before tackling the big ones. And even then, do it is pieces. Most people have difficulty handling too much change at one time.
People who have held one job a long time may have seen a lot of potential changes come and go. Many of them were bad ideas and caused them more work than not changing would have. They may have even tried what you are suggesting and had it fail miserably not just once but several times. This is the attitude you are going to face going in with a new proposal. You have to give them a reason to change.
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
25
down vote
accepted
In any new job, you should take time to build a reputation as someone who knows what he or she is doing before starting to suggest changes. You also need to to listen first and find out why thing are done the way they are. Some things you want to change many have regulatory or legal or economic reasons why they can't be changed. Or some things may be dictated by the client. Right now you are fresh out of school, why should they listen to you? There is so much you don't know yet. You need to concentrate on building a reputation as someone who delivers good quality work on schedule to have any chance of effectively changing an organization. They have to trust your judgement before you can be effective in driving change.
When you have an age gap, then you have to work harder to prove yourself. Consider that anyone older than 5 years from your age is an alien and you won't go far wrong. Their viewpoints are very different from yours and their experience is very different. Take some time to learn about their viewpoints before charging in to change things.
And remember when you decide to start proposing changes that it is very likely you are proposing the changes to the people who set up the current system. You will get resistance to change, that is close to 100% guaranteed. So you have to know the people well enough to know what kind of arguments will sway them to change.
First hint, logical arguments never trump emotional ones and emotional arguments disguised as logical ones are the most effective. You need to find an emotional reason they can hook to in order to get people to change. They want to know what is in it for them or they want to know what pain you will take away if the change happens.
Timing helps too. Right after a major disaster that could have been avoided if you had... is one of the best times to make a suggestion. This is when people are looking for something they can change to in order to explain to higher ups how they will avoid this type of problem in the future. At the start of a new project is also a good time to suggest and implement changes. Two weeks from the delivery of a major release to prod when everyone is working overtime and tired and cranky is not a good time. especially if it will cause more work in the short-term.
Another thing that helps is not trying to change more than one thing at a time. Start small and have a track record of successful ideas implemented before tackling the big ones. And even then, do it is pieces. Most people have difficulty handling too much change at one time.
People who have held one job a long time may have seen a lot of potential changes come and go. Many of them were bad ideas and caused them more work than not changing would have. They may have even tried what you are suggesting and had it fail miserably not just once but several times. This is the attitude you are going to face going in with a new proposal. You have to give them a reason to change.
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
25
down vote
accepted
up vote
25
down vote
accepted
In any new job, you should take time to build a reputation as someone who knows what he or she is doing before starting to suggest changes. You also need to to listen first and find out why thing are done the way they are. Some things you want to change many have regulatory or legal or economic reasons why they can't be changed. Or some things may be dictated by the client. Right now you are fresh out of school, why should they listen to you? There is so much you don't know yet. You need to concentrate on building a reputation as someone who delivers good quality work on schedule to have any chance of effectively changing an organization. They have to trust your judgement before you can be effective in driving change.
When you have an age gap, then you have to work harder to prove yourself. Consider that anyone older than 5 years from your age is an alien and you won't go far wrong. Their viewpoints are very different from yours and their experience is very different. Take some time to learn about their viewpoints before charging in to change things.
And remember when you decide to start proposing changes that it is very likely you are proposing the changes to the people who set up the current system. You will get resistance to change, that is close to 100% guaranteed. So you have to know the people well enough to know what kind of arguments will sway them to change.
First hint, logical arguments never trump emotional ones and emotional arguments disguised as logical ones are the most effective. You need to find an emotional reason they can hook to in order to get people to change. They want to know what is in it for them or they want to know what pain you will take away if the change happens.
Timing helps too. Right after a major disaster that could have been avoided if you had... is one of the best times to make a suggestion. This is when people are looking for something they can change to in order to explain to higher ups how they will avoid this type of problem in the future. At the start of a new project is also a good time to suggest and implement changes. Two weeks from the delivery of a major release to prod when everyone is working overtime and tired and cranky is not a good time. especially if it will cause more work in the short-term.
Another thing that helps is not trying to change more than one thing at a time. Start small and have a track record of successful ideas implemented before tackling the big ones. And even then, do it is pieces. Most people have difficulty handling too much change at one time.
People who have held one job a long time may have seen a lot of potential changes come and go. Many of them were bad ideas and caused them more work than not changing would have. They may have even tried what you are suggesting and had it fail miserably not just once but several times. This is the attitude you are going to face going in with a new proposal. You have to give them a reason to change.
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
In any new job, you should take time to build a reputation as someone who knows what he or she is doing before starting to suggest changes. You also need to to listen first and find out why thing are done the way they are. Some things you want to change many have regulatory or legal or economic reasons why they can't be changed. Or some things may be dictated by the client. Right now you are fresh out of school, why should they listen to you? There is so much you don't know yet. You need to concentrate on building a reputation as someone who delivers good quality work on schedule to have any chance of effectively changing an organization. They have to trust your judgement before you can be effective in driving change.
When you have an age gap, then you have to work harder to prove yourself. Consider that anyone older than 5 years from your age is an alien and you won't go far wrong. Their viewpoints are very different from yours and their experience is very different. Take some time to learn about their viewpoints before charging in to change things.
And remember when you decide to start proposing changes that it is very likely you are proposing the changes to the people who set up the current system. You will get resistance to change, that is close to 100% guaranteed. So you have to know the people well enough to know what kind of arguments will sway them to change.
First hint, logical arguments never trump emotional ones and emotional arguments disguised as logical ones are the most effective. You need to find an emotional reason they can hook to in order to get people to change. They want to know what is in it for them or they want to know what pain you will take away if the change happens.
Timing helps too. Right after a major disaster that could have been avoided if you had... is one of the best times to make a suggestion. This is when people are looking for something they can change to in order to explain to higher ups how they will avoid this type of problem in the future. At the start of a new project is also a good time to suggest and implement changes. Two weeks from the delivery of a major release to prod when everyone is working overtime and tired and cranky is not a good time. especially if it will cause more work in the short-term.
Another thing that helps is not trying to change more than one thing at a time. Start small and have a track record of successful ideas implemented before tackling the big ones. And even then, do it is pieces. Most people have difficulty handling too much change at one time.
People who have held one job a long time may have seen a lot of potential changes come and go. Many of them were bad ideas and caused them more work than not changing would have. They may have even tried what you are suggesting and had it fail miserably not just once but several times. This is the attitude you are going to face going in with a new proposal. You have to give them a reason to change.
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
edited Oct 23 '17 at 13:49
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
answered Jan 24 '14 at 18:59
HLGEM
133k25227489
133k25227489
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
add a comment |Â
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
1
1
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
This is an excellent answer to the question. It's always important to understand the other person's point of view. Taking time to understand the environment and the personalities involved before suggesting changes may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will pay big dividends in the long run.
– Roger
Jan 24 '14 at 19:10
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
I really like this response. Very detailed and insightful. Thanks!
– V-Why
Jan 27 '14 at 16:44
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
+1: Build a reputation and then continue to do good work to keep it clean from people who would soil it.
– Joel Etherton
Jan 28 '14 at 13:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
Give respect to gain respect. This applies even in scenarios where you join a company at a senior position and have reports who have been working there for a while.
As someone just out of school, accomplish what is thrown at you first and then look for additional opportunities.
In a technology company, you might have to spend 5/6 months working on something before you start coming up with ideas that others have not considered previously. Work through the idea on your own, and then present to someone who is willing to listen. Use their assistance to sell the idea and credit them appropriately.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
Give respect to gain respect. This applies even in scenarios where you join a company at a senior position and have reports who have been working there for a while.
As someone just out of school, accomplish what is thrown at you first and then look for additional opportunities.
In a technology company, you might have to spend 5/6 months working on something before you start coming up with ideas that others have not considered previously. Work through the idea on your own, and then present to someone who is willing to listen. Use their assistance to sell the idea and credit them appropriately.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
Give respect to gain respect. This applies even in scenarios where you join a company at a senior position and have reports who have been working there for a while.
As someone just out of school, accomplish what is thrown at you first and then look for additional opportunities.
In a technology company, you might have to spend 5/6 months working on something before you start coming up with ideas that others have not considered previously. Work through the idea on your own, and then present to someone who is willing to listen. Use their assistance to sell the idea and credit them appropriately.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
Give respect to gain respect. This applies even in scenarios where you join a company at a senior position and have reports who have been working there for a while.
As someone just out of school, accomplish what is thrown at you first and then look for additional opportunities.
In a technology company, you might have to spend 5/6 months working on something before you start coming up with ideas that others have not considered previously. Work through the idea on your own, and then present to someone who is willing to listen. Use their assistance to sell the idea and credit them appropriately.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
edited Jan 23 '14 at 0:06
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:59
Bhaskar
58435
58435
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
add a comment |Â
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
The 5-6 months part may be true or it may not. It depends on the abilities of the veterans. For example, there are still shops that are not using a version control system.
– kevin cline
Jan 23 '14 at 4:03
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@kevincline That's true, but even something obviously good (to informed people) like introducing a VCS not an instant-benefit change. In that example, wait for the lack of VCS to become a problem, then suggest it.
– Ekevoo
Jan 23 '14 at 12:45
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
@Ekevoo: true, the point of my comment was that competence is not necessarily related to experience or tenure.
– kevin cline
Jan 24 '14 at 9:07
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
Balance your zeal for proving yourself with the willingness to ask "why" (and sometimes, to leave things as they are). There is going to be plenty of stuff going on that your professors never taught you (and possibly never knew), and that you can only begin to understand by having to deal with under real-world constraints like time, money, and office politics.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
Balance your zeal for proving yourself with the willingness to ask "why" (and sometimes, to leave things as they are). There is going to be plenty of stuff going on that your professors never taught you (and possibly never knew), and that you can only begin to understand by having to deal with under real-world constraints like time, money, and office politics.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
Balance your zeal for proving yourself with the willingness to ask "why" (and sometimes, to leave things as they are). There is going to be plenty of stuff going on that your professors never taught you (and possibly never knew), and that you can only begin to understand by having to deal with under real-world constraints like time, money, and office politics.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
Balance your zeal for proving yourself with the willingness to ask "why" (and sometimes, to leave things as they are). There is going to be plenty of stuff going on that your professors never taught you (and possibly never knew), and that you can only begin to understand by having to deal with under real-world constraints like time, money, and office politics.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
answered Jan 22 '14 at 20:49
Xavier J
26.3k104797
26.3k104797
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
With competence; and lots of it.
- Do your work and do it well.
- More experienced coworkers will notice, and you will be respected.
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
With competence; and lots of it.
- Do your work and do it well.
- More experienced coworkers will notice, and you will be respected.
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
With competence; and lots of it.
- Do your work and do it well.
- More experienced coworkers will notice, and you will be respected.
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
With competence; and lots of it.
- Do your work and do it well.
- More experienced coworkers will notice, and you will be respected.
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
answered Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
Jim G.
11.8k105373
11.8k105373
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
The respect you get will depend on two things: you, and your colleagues. Some people are open-minded, happy to listen to ideas from anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or training, are able to judge those ideas on their merits, and will engage the creator constructively. Other people are less open to change. Do not expect other people to behave rationally all the time, or to be willing to evaluate your ideas objectively. Some will, and some won't. Not everyone thinks like you do.
You want to pitch your ideas to the most open-minded people first. If you aren't sure who to talk to, then it's probably best to stop talking until you figure that out. If you find that none of your colleagues are interested in your ideas, and can't provide any constructive criticism, then you may want to consider a change in situation. Some teams are perfectly happy doing what they are doing, and will shoot down any suggestions until the roof is caving in.
You may be interested in reading Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
The respect you get will depend on two things: you, and your colleagues. Some people are open-minded, happy to listen to ideas from anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or training, are able to judge those ideas on their merits, and will engage the creator constructively. Other people are less open to change. Do not expect other people to behave rationally all the time, or to be willing to evaluate your ideas objectively. Some will, and some won't. Not everyone thinks like you do.
You want to pitch your ideas to the most open-minded people first. If you aren't sure who to talk to, then it's probably best to stop talking until you figure that out. If you find that none of your colleagues are interested in your ideas, and can't provide any constructive criticism, then you may want to consider a change in situation. Some teams are perfectly happy doing what they are doing, and will shoot down any suggestions until the roof is caving in.
You may be interested in reading Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
The respect you get will depend on two things: you, and your colleagues. Some people are open-minded, happy to listen to ideas from anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or training, are able to judge those ideas on their merits, and will engage the creator constructively. Other people are less open to change. Do not expect other people to behave rationally all the time, or to be willing to evaluate your ideas objectively. Some will, and some won't. Not everyone thinks like you do.
You want to pitch your ideas to the most open-minded people first. If you aren't sure who to talk to, then it's probably best to stop talking until you figure that out. If you find that none of your colleagues are interested in your ideas, and can't provide any constructive criticism, then you may want to consider a change in situation. Some teams are perfectly happy doing what they are doing, and will shoot down any suggestions until the roof is caving in.
You may be interested in reading Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
The respect you get will depend on two things: you, and your colleagues. Some people are open-minded, happy to listen to ideas from anyone, regardless of their age, experience, or training, are able to judge those ideas on their merits, and will engage the creator constructively. Other people are less open to change. Do not expect other people to behave rationally all the time, or to be willing to evaluate your ideas objectively. Some will, and some won't. Not everyone thinks like you do.
You want to pitch your ideas to the most open-minded people first. If you aren't sure who to talk to, then it's probably best to stop talking until you figure that out. If you find that none of your colleagues are interested in your ideas, and can't provide any constructive criticism, then you may want to consider a change in situation. Some teams are perfectly happy doing what they are doing, and will shoot down any suggestions until the roof is caving in.
You may be interested in reading Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan.
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01
kevin cline
15.6k43861
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
You gain respect by earning it. You make contribution to your work to earn the respect from others, regardless they are more experienced or less experienced. You contribute to your workplace by working. You help your team and your company to succeed. You maintain the integrity at work. You follow procedures. You are not late arriving at meetings, . . . I hope you get my idea here. You keep being a good worker, others will naturally respect you.
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
You gain respect by earning it. You make contribution to your work to earn the respect from others, regardless they are more experienced or less experienced. You contribute to your workplace by working. You help your team and your company to succeed. You maintain the integrity at work. You follow procedures. You are not late arriving at meetings, . . . I hope you get my idea here. You keep being a good worker, others will naturally respect you.
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
You gain respect by earning it. You make contribution to your work to earn the respect from others, regardless they are more experienced or less experienced. You contribute to your workplace by working. You help your team and your company to succeed. You maintain the integrity at work. You follow procedures. You are not late arriving at meetings, . . . I hope you get my idea here. You keep being a good worker, others will naturally respect you.
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
You gain respect by earning it. You make contribution to your work to earn the respect from others, regardless they are more experienced or less experienced. You contribute to your workplace by working. You help your team and your company to succeed. You maintain the integrity at work. You follow procedures. You are not late arriving at meetings, . . . I hope you get my idea here. You keep being a good worker, others will naturally respect you.
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
edited Jan 27 '14 at 9:39
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
answered Jan 27 '14 at 9:06
scaaahu
6,60853144
6,60853144
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
Be respectful of your peers. They have a lot of knowledge they can share with you from a technical and business perspective, and most will as long as you don't come across like a know it all. You will always have one or two folks who for one reason or another do not like to share information or help others. Do not waste your efforts on these folks.
The other thing you can do to earn respect is to work hard. Do some research on your own before seeking help from a more senior team member. This show that you are willing to put in the time necessary to be good at your job, while showing respect to your more senior member's time.
If you do these two things, you will find the respect your looking for.
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
Be respectful of your peers. They have a lot of knowledge they can share with you from a technical and business perspective, and most will as long as you don't come across like a know it all. You will always have one or two folks who for one reason or another do not like to share information or help others. Do not waste your efforts on these folks.
The other thing you can do to earn respect is to work hard. Do some research on your own before seeking help from a more senior team member. This show that you are willing to put in the time necessary to be good at your job, while showing respect to your more senior member's time.
If you do these two things, you will find the respect your looking for.
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
Be respectful of your peers. They have a lot of knowledge they can share with you from a technical and business perspective, and most will as long as you don't come across like a know it all. You will always have one or two folks who for one reason or another do not like to share information or help others. Do not waste your efforts on these folks.
The other thing you can do to earn respect is to work hard. Do some research on your own before seeking help from a more senior team member. This show that you are willing to put in the time necessary to be good at your job, while showing respect to your more senior member's time.
If you do these two things, you will find the respect your looking for.
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
Any ideas on how to approach this situation?
Be respectful of your peers. They have a lot of knowledge they can share with you from a technical and business perspective, and most will as long as you don't come across like a know it all. You will always have one or two folks who for one reason or another do not like to share information or help others. Do not waste your efforts on these folks.
The other thing you can do to earn respect is to work hard. Do some research on your own before seeking help from a more senior team member. This show that you are willing to put in the time necessary to be good at your job, while showing respect to your more senior member's time.
If you do these two things, you will find the respect your looking for.
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
edited Oct 30 '17 at 11:20
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
answered Oct 23 '17 at 14:29
Mister Positive
53.5k27174220
53.5k27174220
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
protected by Jim G. Jan 28 '14 at 12:34
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27
Do good work and the level of respect will rise.
– MrFox
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
1
Tech company? On the balance of probability I'd guess it's your ideas they don't like, rather than you. Find one that seems friendly, and politely (and in private) ask them what the real deal is.
– AakashM
Jan 22 '14 at 20:32
2
@AakashM: if only it were so. Sometimes people's jobs depending on a company continuing to do the wrong thing.
– kevin cline
Jan 22 '14 at 22:02
1
Consider how you are presenting your ideas. Are you telling these people how things should be done because you were taught something in university? Do you know what kind of history some of these ideas may have had in this company as something may have been tried numerous times in the past?
– JB King
Jan 23 '14 at 1:16
6
An obvious answer could be that all of your ideas suck. We all like to believe that we are the best employees and our ideas are like golden sun drops of genius, but the truth is sometimes very different. It could also be that they've heard all of your ideas before because they have so much experience (20, 30, 40 years older). Neither of these possible reasons means that you should stop trying though.
– Barry Franklin
Jan 23 '14 at 19:03