How to optimize your relationship with a younger boss?
8 July 2015
Read by 3512 persons
I'm sharing a personal experience. What I dreaded happened: my new boss was much younger than me. To be honest, I gritted my teeth and secretly fumed at what I initially perceived as humiliation. But over time, I realized that this situation could be a win-win... for both of us! This boss turned out to be an excellent leader who helped me overcome interesting challenges while giving me my place in the sun.
Having a younger boss is a common experience for many boomers and today's workers. According to a 2012 survey by the job search site CareerBuilder, 34% of current workers are in this situation. Indeed, today's workers tend to stay employed longer, either by choice or to improve their financial situation in retirement. This increases the chances that they will find themselves under the supervision of younger bosses. So let's make the most of it, shall we? Let's see how we can do this gracefully and enthusiastically.
Adopting a good attitude
It may seem hard to swallow having a boss the age of your son or daughter. But instead of harboring negative feelings like resentment, fear of the unknown, self-pity, or feelings of failure, it's probably better to focus on the substantial benefits for both parties. Indeed, it's an opportunity to learn new ways of analyzing situations, making decisions, and becoming more familiar with technology.
The best attitude to adopt is to strive for mutual success: yours and your boss's. If you decide to remain employed by a younger boss, you have, by definition, chosen to be loyal to them and contribute to their success by helping them achieve their goals and respecting them.
If this is no longer your goal, it's best to look for another job because continuing to work and grumbling behind your superior's back will only lead to trouble! (no pun intended!)
Teaming up with your young boss
You'll benefit from acknowledging your boss's strengths. There's nothing stopping you from using your own when they are complementary and relevant. Thus, thanks to your prior experience, you can help your boss navigate areas they know less about and find easier, less risky, and certainly less costly ways of doing things. Often, explaining the historical context of a difficult situation to your boss can help them see clearly and stay calm. Regardless of the situation, as an older employee, you'll set aside advice like "you should do this or that" in favor of more delicate suggestions like: "you could consider options such as..." or "I've already encountered a similar situation. I found it helpful to..." This type of exchange is better suited for private conversations where the boss's leadership and expertise are never publicly questioned.
Agreeing on the best communication methods
Older employees are used to face-to-face meetings and far less to emails and texts. It's best not to assume your boss's preferences. Why not talk to them frankly and agree on the method that works best? You may have to learn new ways of doing things and get used to them, but it will avoid misunderstandings and tension.
Does this mean sacrificing your personal authenticity and becoming a "clone" of your young boss in their ways? Not at all. I believe it's important to adapt while respecting yourself too. Changing your attire to look "young," adopting "young" expressions, or pretending to be interested in "young" subjects won't convince anyone... and may even make you look ridiculous. It's better to impress your boss with your exceptional performance, exceeding expectations, than by trying to be "cool"!
Staying within your role
Boomers may be strongly tempted to overstep their subordinate role and become their boss's parents. Warning: He or she is not your son or daughter! You must refrain from turning constructive criticism into parental admonition or reasonable emotional support into unconditional love! Banish the famous: "When I was your age...!!!" from your vocabulary.
Earning your boss's respect
Having a "certain age" doesn't automatically give us the competence to do our job brilliantly. Respect must be earned every day through sustained good performance and unwavering loyalty.
Ignoring stereotypes and choosing flexibility
Just as you want your young boss not to attribute to you all the stereotypes associated with your generation, so does he or she wish the same in return. It's best not to fall into the trap of ranting against "today's youth" and gossiping about their generation. Promoting the complementarity of generations certainly tastes better. To honor this principle, however, "actions must speak louder than words," and older employees must concretely demonstrate their openness to new ways of doing things and show flexibility towards new ideas. This will mean keeping up with the latest innovations, learning new technological skills, and exceeding expectations.
Everyone wins!
What better way to preserve your own youth, isn't it? Denying yourself the happiness of a healthy and productive work environment because of an age difference: is that really an option? Let's focus more on what unites us (interests, vision of success, etc.) than on the years that separate us.
Johanne Menard.
Monster.ca
Posted online July 8, 2015.
Having a younger boss is a common experience for many boomers and today's workers. According to a 2012 survey by the job search site CareerBuilder, 34% of current workers are in this situation. Indeed, today's workers tend to stay employed longer, either by choice or to improve their financial situation in retirement. This increases the chances that they will find themselves under the supervision of younger bosses. So let's make the most of it, shall we? Let's see how we can do this gracefully and enthusiastically.
Adopting a good attitude
It may seem hard to swallow having a boss the age of your son or daughter. But instead of harboring negative feelings like resentment, fear of the unknown, self-pity, or feelings of failure, it's probably better to focus on the substantial benefits for both parties. Indeed, it's an opportunity to learn new ways of analyzing situations, making decisions, and becoming more familiar with technology.
The best attitude to adopt is to strive for mutual success: yours and your boss's. If you decide to remain employed by a younger boss, you have, by definition, chosen to be loyal to them and contribute to their success by helping them achieve their goals and respecting them.
If this is no longer your goal, it's best to look for another job because continuing to work and grumbling behind your superior's back will only lead to trouble! (no pun intended!)
Teaming up with your young boss
You'll benefit from acknowledging your boss's strengths. There's nothing stopping you from using your own when they are complementary and relevant. Thus, thanks to your prior experience, you can help your boss navigate areas they know less about and find easier, less risky, and certainly less costly ways of doing things. Often, explaining the historical context of a difficult situation to your boss can help them see clearly and stay calm. Regardless of the situation, as an older employee, you'll set aside advice like "you should do this or that" in favor of more delicate suggestions like: "you could consider options such as..." or "I've already encountered a similar situation. I found it helpful to..." This type of exchange is better suited for private conversations where the boss's leadership and expertise are never publicly questioned.
Agreeing on the best communication methods
Older employees are used to face-to-face meetings and far less to emails and texts. It's best not to assume your boss's preferences. Why not talk to them frankly and agree on the method that works best? You may have to learn new ways of doing things and get used to them, but it will avoid misunderstandings and tension.
Does this mean sacrificing your personal authenticity and becoming a "clone" of your young boss in their ways? Not at all. I believe it's important to adapt while respecting yourself too. Changing your attire to look "young," adopting "young" expressions, or pretending to be interested in "young" subjects won't convince anyone... and may even make you look ridiculous. It's better to impress your boss with your exceptional performance, exceeding expectations, than by trying to be "cool"!
Staying within your role
Boomers may be strongly tempted to overstep their subordinate role and become their boss's parents. Warning: He or she is not your son or daughter! You must refrain from turning constructive criticism into parental admonition or reasonable emotional support into unconditional love! Banish the famous: "When I was your age...!!!" from your vocabulary.
Earning your boss's respect
Having a "certain age" doesn't automatically give us the competence to do our job brilliantly. Respect must be earned every day through sustained good performance and unwavering loyalty.
Ignoring stereotypes and choosing flexibility
Just as you want your young boss not to attribute to you all the stereotypes associated with your generation, so does he or she wish the same in return. It's best not to fall into the trap of ranting against "today's youth" and gossiping about their generation. Promoting the complementarity of generations certainly tastes better. To honor this principle, however, "actions must speak louder than words," and older employees must concretely demonstrate their openness to new ways of doing things and show flexibility towards new ideas. This will mean keeping up with the latest innovations, learning new technological skills, and exceeding expectations.
Everyone wins!
What better way to preserve your own youth, isn't it? Denying yourself the happiness of a healthy and productive work environment because of an age difference: is that really an option? Let's focus more on what unites us (interests, vision of success, etc.) than on the years that separate us.
Johanne Menard.
Monster.ca
Posted online July 8, 2015.
