My Boss Is 20 Years Younger Than Me
There is a lot of attention being paid to our increasingly diverse workplace. There are all types of differences including race, gender, generations and thinking styles, just to name a few. LTAW’s focus this month is on some of the key diversity dimensions and how to navigate them for greater productivity and engagement.
It wasn’t so long ago that when someone said “boss,” most of us envisioned a gray-templed man with decades on the job. But as workplaces have become more technologically driven, leadership opportunities have opened up to younger, more plugged-in employees. Take Facebook for example, the company was founded by Gen Yer Mark Zuckerberg. Can you imagine having a CEO who is only 28 years old? Well, this is often the case for many newer, start-up companies. As Gen Y’s increasingly become the majority in the workplace, a boss that’s 20 or more years your junior is not so far-fetched. And for older workers, that can mean dealing with a younger boss for the first time.
So how do you deal with a supervisor who’s young enough to be your child? Here are a few tips:
- First things first, don’t bring that up. Don’t mention that your boss is young enough to be your child or that he or she reminds you of your child. Though your supervisor may one day come to you with a question only your experience can answer, don’t assume he or she needs a parent or a mentor.
- Know what they want. If your boss is significantly younger that you, most likely they are from a different generation than you as well. Understand what his/her generation’s core values and beliefs are and how they play out in the work place.
- Go electronic. Stay up to date with the newest technology – today’s younger workers are generally all about email, instant messaging and telecommuting. Extended face time is becoming a thing of the past. Though that can make your supervisor seem standoffish, keep in mind that these sorts of methods can save you time, effort and a commute if used to the fullest.
- Stay current. Make sure your skills are current and keep your boss up to date on your accomplishments. It may seem like a simple imperative, but seeing your boss as a youngster (and not respecting their position) can push you into the mindset that your past successes should be enough. A young boss, just like any other, wants to know what you’ve done lately.
- Don’t get weird. Just because your boss is young doesn’t mean you have to act like a 22-year-old, or that you have to show him or her that you could destroy their career. Act your age and remember, this isn’t a competition to show that you’re not too old to work – it’s just another day in a changing work landscape.
- Be proactive. If even after all of this, the age difference still bothers you – talk to your boss about it in a tactful and respectful way. Harboring ill feelings of working for a younger boss can affect your productivity and happiness. Your supervisor may also be struggling with the age difference and together you may be able to come up with strategies to work through the age gap.
Have you ever experience working with someone who was “too young to be your boss”? Tell us about it!
Value differences! Live inclusively!