One of the most unnerving aspects of a career change is the ego-challenging prospect of dealing with a younger boss. Taking orders from someone younger than your son or daughter may seem like a journey to the far reaches of hell. Especially if he has entirely different ideas about how to manage a project or market the latest product. But before you curse your bad fortune, here are a few things to consider:
Keep up with the times. One area in which boomers and other older workers lag is in maintaining their skills—particularly in the technology arena. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the way you’ve always done it is good enough. Sign up for training sessions, community college classes, whatever it takes to become proficient—rather than irrelevant. Stay current with new books, movies, TV shows--or peruse a copy of Entertainment Weekly or Vanity Fair. You need not live the life of a twentysomething, but with a little bit of cultural literacy you can exert a large amount of cultural leverage.
Lose the 'tude. Don’t try to upstage your boss or act as though you know everything about everything. Also, don’t act like a disapproving parent and get defensive if your ideas are shot down. Finally, fight the temptation to rattle off past accomplishments. Your boss and employer want to know what you can do for them in the here-and-now. Focus on doing your job to the best of your ability and look for opportunities to excel.
Learn to Adapt. One of the toughest things as we grow older is dealing with change. Over the last quarter century, computers and technology have radically changed the face of business and altered the way bosses and employees interact. If you’re older than 50, you probably are familiar with a top-down management style. That is, the boss barks commands and everyone scurries to meet them. But in today’s workplace, there’s less structure and more latitude. You may need to work on teams and learn to take the initiative—without being asked to do so.
Communicate. In many cases, conversation and discussion equal positive results--and a far better understanding of the other person. Ask your boss what he or she would like to see from you and spell out clear performance objectives. Understand how your boss views success, then look for ways to deliver.
In the end, it’s important to remember that the right approach and behavior can diffuse difficult and potentially frustrating situations. By doing all you can do to be your best you’re far more likely to shine—and make age irrelevant.
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