6 Tips for Working With a Younger Boss

6 Tips for Working With a Younger Boss 6 Tips for Working With a Younger Boss In theory, we all start out in entry-level jobs and then, move our way up. Our path should be steady and sure, which means that our bosses are older than we are, and we are older than our direct reports. Thats how we think it should work, but life rarely goes in straight diagonals. Some people do keep rising, while others take time off for illness, family, or because their boss kicked them to the curb. Sometimes you go sideways. Some people jump six levels at a  time. The result is that sometimes your boss is younger than you. Sometimes, a lot younger. What happens when you are old enough to be your managers mother, or worse, grandmother? Its not always smooth sailing. There are a lot of feelings you need to work out. It isnt a theoretical issue- as Millennials hit the workforce, some will move into management roles where they will supervise people who are considerably older than they are. When youre the older worker, how do you handle working for someone who is not only much younger  but may have a lot less experience?   Tips for Working With a Younger Manager Watch Your Body Language: Your less experienced boss may make suggestions that youre 99 percent sure wont work. Resist the urge to roll your eyes. Its annoying when your kids do it, and its annoying when you do it. You may be right, but you need to keep your body language in check. You can bring up objections (see below), but how you deliver the objections is critical. Watch Your Language: Knock the following phrases out of your work repertoire: When I was your age.We used to do it this way.Ive been doing this since before you were born.After youve been doing this as long as I have, youll see what I mean. And anything similar. You dont want to draw attention to the age differences, and you dont want to act like youre superior because youre older. You may be superior.  Your boss is still the boss. Assume Your Boss is the Right Person for the Job: Even if you dont have more work experience, you have more life experience. That doesnt mean that your Millennial boss isnt the right person for the job of the  boss. She may well have the knowledge and experience that management needed and wanted to hire. She may have management skills that other people dont have. Some people are good at one thing, and some are good at other things. When your boss makes changes, dont resist the change. Dont push back unless you have really solid reasons. (Weve never done it that way before, is not a solid reason.) If you have a solid reason, take it to your boss and present your case. Thats what you would do if your boss were older than you. If she says absolutely not, then support her. Shes the boss, and shell take the fall if it was a stupid idea. Keep It Professional: You have a lot of life experience, as well as professional experience. Your 20-something boss is in the process of going through things like dating, new babies, and general relationship drama that you are long, long past. Resist the urge to help her out with that stuff. She has parents she can go to for adult advice. Additionally, dont let yourself fall into the role of department mother or father. Sometimes this can happen when there are one or two baby boomers in a group of Millennials. Some even start calling their older coworker mom. Its endearing, and its also career suicide for you. Nobody gives the good projects to the mom. Moms are there to bring cookies (dont do it) and give advice (Advice on a project? Good. Advice on they guy shes dating? Bad.) You are all professionals, so please act like it. You Havent Earned any Special Privileges: This pops up in organizations where the older workers are long-term employees of the company. Theyve earned the right to come in late, or get the first pick on vacation time. Maybe first vacation pick is company policy, but your boss gets to determine that if its not. If your boss wants you to have a flexible schedule great! And by all means, negotiate it. Youve earned it if you can point to your stellar work record. You havent earned it by your longevity alone. Dont Try to Be Cool: If youre naturally cool - awesome - but dont try to act like a 25-year-old when youre 45. It comes across as unprofessional and silly. Sure, that may be ageist, and you can threaten to sue, but we all live in the real world in which people are expected to mature as they get older. There are different expectations for different people. As long as it doesnt affect your performance rating or pay, let it go. Remember, age doesnt really matter once you hit adulthood. Dont panic if your new boss is a lot younger than you are. Just do your best at your job, and things will go well.