Comments on: Young Managers – How Do They Lead Older Subordinates?

By: Ajoke

Ajoke — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:13:45 +0000

Wao! I use to think that my subordinate should earn my respect and not just me respecting them like that. I’ll sure pratice this respect thing and I just hope it’ll work cos I am very new at the firm and this people just disrespect me at liberty in return I;ve been very hard on them.
But it feels so good to know that I’m not the only 24 yr in this.

thanks

By: Twebaze Victor

Twebaze Victor — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:17:10 +0000

The experience i have acquired from being a supervisor of a relatively older generation is that i need to treat surbodinates with respect.The only effective way to manage an older surbodinate is directing them towards the objectives and goals of the company.To my experience, the surbodinate will for get her age.

Appreciating the good that staff will have contributed also motivates staff.This to them is a sign that despite age,they perfomed to the best of your expectations.

Followup also matters,older surbodinates need space but a follow up is very important.This to them shows despite how young you may be,you will still be remembering the assignments you gave to each of them.

The challenge i have continuosly got is that older surbodinates tend to be very slow in decision making,risk taking, as opposed to me.This sometimes think that they have a negative atitude towards the set goals.

By: Twebaze victor

Twebaze victor — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:27:02 +0000

Iam a 24 yaer old manager in a communications firm.I treat my older surbodinates the same but with alot od deligency.I listen to their concerns and they respect me for that.I dont push policies before them.I consult them before implementing.

The main challenge with young managers all over is that they want things done faster,when these older subodinates are slow.At times you need to do follow up and make many courtesy calls to facilitate quick implementation.

But this is not very easy,at times these older surbonates cacoon against the manager.Its upon the young manager to form team work and come down to them very carefully.

By: Twebaze Victor

Twebaze Victor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:33:59 +0000

Iam a 24 year old manager in a communications firm.I believe age difference has nothing to do in this case.I lead older subodinates and they have always appreciated my style of management.A managers should respect his surbodinates if he is to manage better older subodinates.The challenge with young manager is when the older surbodinates become very slow or decide to surbotage thevpolicies of a young manager.The young manager therefore has to clearly undrstand the likes of older surbodinates in order to lead them effectively.

By: anna smith

anna smith — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:30:21 +0000

I LOVE THIS TOPIC!!!
I, 26, am a young manager myself in the fast food industry. I totally agree that a young manager should ‘do nothing’ about the age difference. BUT it can become quite a confidence issue. My older colleagues seemed to be very skeptical about my abilities at first. We ended up having a super relationship int he end. But it took lots of support from my personal social network, mainly my husband, to help me through the tough times. We all strive for human connection and if the older generation ‘blocks’ that connection at first, one can feel quite alone. But as with anything… it just takes time.

By: TheManager

TheManager — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:30:14 +0000

Great question, Sourabh. To see our answer, check out this post: http://askthemanager.com/2009/07/how-does-a-young-manager-from-the-outside-convince-an-interviewer-that-he-can-lead/

- TheManager