10 RESPONSES TO "STRATEGIES FOR A 23-YEAR-OLD BOSS"
Fellow Millennial HR Asst.
Rachel,
Your Master's is in HR! I assume you have had other education in something similar to HR: business, psychology, sociology, etc. If you're worried go back to the basics. HR is People.
While technically you are her supervisor, you don't have to act like it. Certainly, there are projects that need to be worked on and tasks which need to be delegated, but remember you are co-workers. Be fair, and work with her. I think some adults can get the impression that a younger supervisor can be condescending so do what you expect your boss to do: Listen; give feedback often; be personal (yes, this is ok to do); and empower her through confidence building.
Don't let age stand in the way. I'm 21 and work in Benefits, my job closest co-workers are at least 15 years older than me, and my boss could be my grandmother. As a Business and HR major: diversity is key.
HR Asst. - My boss would support anything I do. :) I also believe that this employee will do a great job. I just want her initial transition to be smooth. I also want her to like me!
March 6, 2008 11:27 pm
Matt Bingham
Remember, the only way to earn respect is to give respect. Once you have that common ground I think the transition will be smooth. Even though I have had no "direct" reports I always valued the opinions of my co-workers. That is huge and will work wonders. Good Luck!
Just enjoy everything that comes your way. That's the key to being a good leader. When you lead with your heart the people will see that you mean well.
It is never just about you. Meaning - don't take anything personal. If someone complains behind your back, take it in stride and learn from the situation.
You seem like you have a great balance to your perspective. I think you'll be great.
Congrats on your first chance to supervise someone.
I've been a manager for numerous years and I remember my first supervisory role and had similar concerns as you - nervous and managing people a lot older than I was.
Hey, remember you were picked to do this job because you can!
On your first few days, you need to be present for your staff. She will want to see you, she will want to ask you questions and she will be curious to know how you work. She may be nervous, skeptical or happy; a whole range of emotions. You will need to introduce yourself, maybe giving a bit of your background.
When I have started a new role I always get all the staff together, provide them with details of my career to-date, what I expect from them, what they can expect from me, a few things about me – married, kids, hobbies, that sort of thing. Just helps build the rapport.
One more thing - you mention 'you want to be liked'. Remove that as soon as you can from your head. When you team grows or when you have to communicate 'bad news', someone will not like you. Someone will detest you! However, you do want to be respected.
Rachel, hate to state the obvious but the first thing is to "be competent" and then the next, "to be seen to be competent" by your subordinate(s). Age does not come into it. At 23, I turned around a sick business and at 24, I was managing a team of 28, of whom only about 12 were younger than I was and my marketing services manager was exactly twice my age. Admittedly I had a free rein but then again, my own career trajectory depended on whether I failed or passed in the role.
The keys were simple -
I set high standards and defined the ground rules upfront;
I delivered high standards in my own work, in my role as a manager and in my relationship with my boss;
While I was compassionate, I ensured that everyone was capable of delivering to those high standards by enabling them through advice, guidance, training and feedback.
Karl - Not taking things personally is a key piece of advice that we've been discussing a lot in our office lately. In many ways people need to be able to disassociate themselves from the workplace.
GreatManagement - I do plan on spending a large part of her firs day with her. Unfortunately, on her second week I will be on vacation. Good point about not wanting to be liked. However, I think that relationships do matter. If you have a strong relationship with a direct report their more likely to get over the bad news.
Shefaly - My question to you is: If it isn't rocket science, why do so few people do it right?
Rachel: Because they forget the basics and get engrossed in the mechanics of measuring and managing.
It is not about the results per se, it is about motivating your team well so that they _want_ to get those results.
Extending this, I would say that businesses, that say customers come first, are missing a trick; the best experiences I have had are with those businesses, where the employees clearly come first, and then the employees make sure the customers are happy and well-served. However one defines customers, that is.
10 RESPONSES TO "STRATEGIES FOR A 23-YEAR-OLD BOSS"
Rachel,
Your Master's is in HR! I assume you have had other education in something similar to HR: business, psychology, sociology, etc. If you're worried go back to the basics. HR is People.
While technically you are her supervisor, you don't have to act like it. Certainly, there are projects that need to be worked on and tasks which need to be delegated, but remember you are co-workers. Be fair, and work with her. I think some adults can get the impression that a younger supervisor can be condescending so do what you expect your boss to do: Listen; give feedback often; be personal (yes, this is ok to do); and empower her through confidence building.
Don't let age stand in the way. I'm 21 and work in Benefits, my job closest co-workers are at least 15 years older than me, and my boss could be my grandmother. As a Business and HR major: diversity is key.
Good luck! I know a lot of fine leaders your age or less. The secret is in believing in your followers.
Know where you want to go, know how to get there, and believe in whom is going with you.
Write down every night what your subordinate did so well for you. Worry less about what went not so well. Write down the 3 best things of the day.
And send me a beer when your subordinate throws you a party!!!
One more thing:
Make sure that your boss supports you; discuss this issue with them--and potential downfalls you see, tell them what you need so you can do well.
Regards
HR Asst. - My boss would support anything I do. :) I also believe that this employee will do a great job. I just want her initial transition to be smooth. I also want her to like me!
Remember, the only way to earn respect is to give respect. Once you have that common ground I think the transition will be smooth. Even though I have had no "direct" reports I always valued the opinions of my co-workers. That is huge and will work wonders. Good Luck!
Just enjoy everything that comes your way. That's the key to being a good leader. When you lead with your heart the people will see that you mean well.
It is never just about you. Meaning - don't take anything personal. If someone complains behind your back, take it in stride and learn from the situation.
You seem like you have a great balance to your perspective. I think you'll be great.
Karl
Work Happy Now!
Rachel
Congrats on your first chance to supervise someone.
I've been a manager for numerous years and I remember my first supervisory role and had similar concerns as you - nervous and managing people a lot older than I was.
Hey, remember you were picked to do this job because you can!
On your first few days, you need to be present for your staff. She will want to see you, she will want to ask you questions and she will be curious to know how you work. She may be nervous, skeptical or happy; a whole range of emotions. You will need to introduce yourself, maybe giving a bit of your background.
When I have started a new role I always get all the staff together, provide them with details of my career to-date, what I expect from them, what they can expect from me, a few things about me – married, kids, hobbies, that sort of thing. Just helps build the rapport.
One more thing - you mention 'you want to be liked'. Remove that as soon as you can from your head. When you team grows or when you have to communicate 'bad news', someone will not like you. Someone will detest you! However, you do want to be respected.
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Andrew
Rachel, hate to state the obvious but the first thing is to "be competent" and then the next, "to be seen to be competent" by your subordinate(s). Age does not come into it. At 23, I turned around a sick business and at 24, I was managing a team of 28, of whom only about 12 were younger than I was and my marketing services manager was exactly twice my age. Admittedly I had a free rein but then again, my own career trajectory depended on whether I failed or passed in the role.
The keys were simple -
I set high standards and defined the ground rules upfront;
I delivered high standards in my own work, in my role as a manager and in my relationship with my boss;
While I was compassionate, I ensured that everyone was capable of delivering to those high standards by enabling them through advice, guidance, training and feedback.
Good luck but it really isn't rocket science!
Karl - Not taking things personally is a key piece of advice that we've been discussing a lot in our office lately. In many ways people need to be able to disassociate themselves from the workplace.
GreatManagement - I do plan on spending a large part of her firs day with her. Unfortunately, on her second week I will be on vacation. Good point about not wanting to be liked. However, I think that relationships do matter. If you have a strong relationship with a direct report their more likely to get over the bad news.
Shefaly - My question to you is: If it isn't rocket science, why do so few people do it right?
Rachel: Because they forget the basics and get engrossed in the mechanics of measuring and managing.
It is not about the results per se, it is about motivating your team well so that they _want_ to get those results.
Extending this, I would say that businesses, that say customers come first, are missing a trick; the best experiences I have had are with those businesses, where the employees clearly come first, and then the employees make sure the customers are happy and well-served. However one defines customers, that is.
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?