You accepted the job, knowing the boss is young, but you need the job. Your 20 years of experience should be an asset to the young boss with one year of management. How can you cope with this younger boss?
The manager, impressed by your skills and demeanor in the interview, wants you to understand she is the boss. You want to share your vast knowledge and experience to help her. Sparks may fly, if you, the older worker fail, to follow-the-leader.
Communication Style
Coping may not be easy unless you understand communication style. Listen carefully. Does the boss tell or ask you to perform various tasks? Is she introverted or extroverted? Understand that introverts prefer data and are frequently on the quiet side. Asking questions, rather than telling is safer.
Let’s say the boss assigns a project to you. In your previous job, you led similar projects and she’s omitted several steps, which could lead to disaster. You must not tell her, but ask , politely, if she might want to consider the possibility of adding a couple of steps. You must be diplomatic! Try to make it her idea. Asking vs. telling in a new situation is critical. If you try to tell her how your ideas are better, you will lose respect, rather than gain it, for she may feel attacked
Do not hesitate to ask the new boss the best way to communicate with her. Younger people may prefer texting or sending instant messages. People over 50 much prefer one-on-one meetings, but the younger crowd frowns on tehm, feeling time is wasted. Learning new ways of communicating in this digital age prevents you from appearing as old as a pyramid in Egypt
Time Management
The young manager, without family obligations, may be a workaholic. You, on the other hand, want to coach your teenager’s soccer team. The younger people often text into the wee hours of the night. You may need a conversation to set some guidelines in the situation. Instead of saying, “Please don’t text me after work hours,” let her know you will respond quickly from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. but may not be able to answer texts again until 10:00 p.m., when you check before bedtime. Determine the best way for her to contact you, should there be a work emergency.
Respect
You need to be authentic, yet when you first start a job working for the younger generation, maintain a low profile until the trust is established. This may be difficult for you but, trust me, the new boss wants to do things her way. You are building respect, not especially building the relationship at this point.
One young manager and I worked together six weeks before I scrounged up the courage to ask him if he was married with children. I’m always curious about who my colleagues are, but I refrained from asking. He was all work, no play, and I had no clue if he liked me or not. It drove me crazy, but we accomplished his requests quickly and efficiently. He respected my work. Was he my favorite boss? No, but we got along well. I didn’t waste his time. Plus, it didn’t hurt me one bit to change my style. Was I authentic? Absolutely! I wanted the job, liked the work and didn’t need to know if he was married with children!
Getting along with the younger boss can create problems if you are not astute when it comes to assessing what the other person wants. Learning to ask rather than tell, keeping your mouth shut and responding the way the boss wants—all build respect.
You could re-read this article and switch “older” and “younger,” as many older workers prefer less interaction and more electronic communication. Excellent communication is the key for success in any job, whether you are male, female, old, young or in between. Be cautious and you will not slide into trouble!
Thanks to Ruth’s friend who suggested this topic. All suggestions are appreciated!
Gentle reminder: The organizational meeting for the writers’ group at the Sachse Library is Tuesday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. Click for the address or send Ruth an email with questions at careers@hotcareers.com.