Here is my response to a question from “Angie” about communication style in the workplace: “How can I get my team to see me as a critical team member? I'm the youngest person in the office by several years and find it hard to get them to treat me as their equal.” My thoughts are that no matter what your age, “being taken seriously” is a mutually negotiated subtlety of communication, a kind of contract between participants. Angie’s commitment would be to be an engaged and authentic listener; prepared and on time for meetings; respectful; making appropriate eye contact; and so on.