How can late career professionals adapt their communication protocols?

1 Assess your communication style

The first step to adapting your communication protocols is to assess your own communication style and preferences. How do you communicate your ideas, feedback, and expectations? What are your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator? How do you respond to different communication styles and situations? You can use various tools and frameworks, such as the DISC model, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, to identify your communication style and its implications. By understanding your communication style, you can leverage your strengths, address your gaps, and adjust your approach accordingly.

3 Adopt new technologies and platforms

The third step to adapting your communication protocols is to adopt new technologies and platforms that enable and enhance communication. As a late career professional, you may have witnessed the evolution of communication tools and channels, from phone calls and emails to video calls and instant messages. You may also have experienced the challenges and benefits of remote and hybrid work environments. To communicate effectively with new technologies and platforms, you need to be open and willing to learn, experiment, and adapt. You also need to be mindful of the etiquette, norms, and best practices of each tool and channel, and how to use them appropriately.

4 Share your expertise and insights

The fourth step to adapting your communication protocols is to share your expertise and insights with others. As a late career professional, you have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom that can benefit your colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. You can communicate your expertise and insights in various ways, such as mentoring, coaching, teaching, presenting, writing, or storytelling. You can also use different formats and mediums, such as podcasts, blogs, webinars, or social media. By sharing your expertise and insights, you can demonstrate your value, influence, and credibility, as well as contribute to the learning and development of others.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

The fifth step to adapting your communication protocols is to seek feedback and improvement. As a late career professional, you may have developed habits and patterns in your communication that may not be optimal or effective in the current context. You may also have blind spots or areas of improvement that you are not aware of. To communicate effectively, you need to seek feedback from others, such as your peers, managers, subordinates, or clients. You also need to be receptive and responsive to the feedback, and use it to improve your communication skills and protocols.

6 Practice and refine your communication protocols

The sixth and final step to adapting your communication protocols is to practice and refine them. As a late career professional, you may have many opportunities and situations to communicate with others, both internally and externally. You can use these opportunities and situations to practice and refine your communication protocols, and to observe and learn from others. You can also set goals and measure your progress and outcomes. By practicing and refining your communication protocols, you can enhance your interpersonal communication and leadership skills, and achieve your professional objectives.