Maybe you have been out of the workforce for a while (especially
if you've been at home with the kids for a time) and have returned
to a younger crowd in the office. Or perhaps a youthful star
performer has risen through the ranks quickly and is being promoted
faster than you can bat an eyelid. Whatever the reason, if you are
faced with taking orders from a boss who is younger than you, it
might not always be easy. It is important to gain some youthful
perspective in this case and learn how to cope with grace and
enthusiasm.
Steps
- Treat your young boss like you would any other boss: with
complete respect from the word go. Your boss got the
position because he or she has the right skills and impressed the
superiors. It won't get you anywhere to spread rumors, gossip or
innuendos about the boss and his or her age. It is far better to
respect the evident skills the boss brings to the job and to
concentrate on the ways that you can genuinely help him or her. Be
open to the new possibilities of working with someone who is likely
very talented.
- Focus on the positives of having a young boss. You will
continue to feel uncomfortable if you look at all the negatives of
the situation. Instead, see the pluses - the energy, dynamism,
fresh ideas and new perspectives that a young boss can bring to a
workplace are all great assets. And it is highly likely that you
have an intelligent boss, which is definitely an asset.
- Take stock of your own skills. Although your boss is younger,
you have plenty to offer - experience, maturity and the knowledge
of how things will often pan out. In addition, it is likely that
you are well-rounded at taking on numerous tasks at once and that
you already have a well-developed and extensive network of personal
contacts and professional contacts from prior work. Focusing on
your own strengths may ease any feelings of insecurity or
resentment towards your boss.
- Update your skills. Especially if you have been out of the
workforce for a time, there is likely to be a need in some areas of
your career skills that need polishing or extending. It's
particularly important to keep up with any market trends and
technological developments that could improve your effectiveness.
Request to attend courses that will improve your skills and
knowledge base. This will not only bring you up-to-speed quickly
but may also result in you being the key person the boss comes to
for implementing the new skills.
- Speak up about your skills. Do not be shy to let the boss know
that you have good skills in certain areas. Without bragging or
boasting, let him or her know what projects, activities and sales
you have already accomplished in your life. Do this when it's
appropriate--such as when making a case that a certain project
should be assigned to you--rather than to convince someone that
you're right.
- Dress well. Just because you are older doesn't mean that you
should present a frumpy, older image to the world. Instead,
continue to update your style and fashion sense so that it
continues to reflect a professional, up-to-date image. Don't try
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