There were a number of situations happened due to the age gap between the managers and the people they are responsible for supervision. Find out with Vietnam Manpower:
2. The junior leader manages older people.
3. The junior or senior leader manages a group in the different ages, young and old, and some at the same age.
The worst conflict often arises between a young manager and older employees. For some reason, long experienced staffs do not happy to be worked under the direction of a younger person. And many young managers are considered "You teach your grandmother to such egg”.
Sometimes, the "impulsive" characteristic of young manager makes the attitudes become worse. Take the time to create the changes. Do not discredit yourself when makes your decisions changes constantly. Many experienced staff easily "read" an "impulsive" decision (but if it is decided by an older manager, it is not "impulsive"). A quick decision by the senior manager will be named as "assertive".
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| You could have been seen as an aggressive child |
So a young manager is easy to be alleged as "aggressive". It is really not fair, but that's the truth. What you need to do is give people more time to acquaint themselves with your "existence". Do not set up roadblocks because finally, you are the one to lift it away.
Method of young managers should be subtle and pleasant. You want people think of you as a mature person than your age. If everything you do give the impression of maturity, sooner or later, people will recognize that fact.
Some advice for young managers
Making older employees feel comfortable under your operating by postponing some decision when take over new position. You know that you can make that decision right away, but for a new job, sometimes postpone the decision (with no harm) so they see that you have considered before making a decision.
For example, if an employee bring to a trouble which he thought that it was serious, you feel that you can make a decision right away, but you still say: "Let me think and I will answer you at tomorrow" That's how you show that you have thought about it and take out all the basis for the argument.
You should also shows that you are not "aggressive". Or, in a similar situation, you should consider (emphasis on the word "consider") when ask: "Do you have any suggestion?", Or "According to you, what is need to be done? ".
In addition, many older workers often say that the communication of young people is too close or too bold. Unless you have already known about the new and longtime members in the group, be careful in the communication.
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| Each generation has different communication methods |
Often, a young manager uses all the powers were given. That way makes people uncomfortable, especially for some the older. You may not know all the answers to all these questions for yourself. Giving a "false" answer if you do not know was a mistake and the experienced staff will recognize it instantly. If you cannot answer the question, let's say: "I do not know, but I will find out and answer you".
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| Yes you do, but do not too show off |
This honesty will help you avoid the image of a showoff boy "I know everything". In the thought of some older workers as well as many “not older than you” people, you do not have enough life experience to be able to answer all the questions.
Prove from early and often that: like all good managers, you worry about the people’s lives in your management responsibilities. As a manager, you should think like a salesman. Your job is to make employees understand they are lucky to have you.
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