Module 6 · Adaptability & different people · Lesson 6 of 8

Experience and professional position

Talking with people more senior, more junior, or from a different field.

6 min read · Level: Practising · Free — no account needed to read

The idea

Talking to someone far more experienced, more senior, or in a very different profession asks for small adjustments. With seniors, be prepared and concise and respect their time, while still saying what you think. With someone newer, be patient, explain context, and avoid showing off what you know.

Position also brings power. People with more power often don’t realise how carefully others choose their words around them. Noticing that makes you easier to talk to at every level.

Why it matters

Relationships up, down and across a hierarchy all matter, and each needs a slightly different touch.

See it happen

Priyanka, a team lead, asks a new intern, “Any questions?” and gets silence every time.

The first reaction

She assumes the intern understands everything.

With the idea

She realises the intern may not feel able to ask a lead. She says, “Most people are confused by this part — what is unclear so far?” The questions start.

What changed

Adjusting for her position made it safe to ask.

Easy to get wrong

• Shrinking completely around senior people, or showing off around junior ones.
• Forgetting that your position changes how people talk to you.

Try it now: Up, down, across

1. Name one person more senior, one more junior, and one in a different field.
2. Write one adjustment that would make each conversation easier.

Questions to think about

• How do you change when you talk to someone more senior?
• Who might be choosing their words carefully around you?

Your challenge this week

Make one conversation easier for someone junior to you this week.