Bridging the age gap

Find it difficult to report to a younger boss or colleague, who has just been promoted? Experts help you have a smooth sail in such situations

Working with a younger and successful colleague or dealing with a younger boss can be a hindrance to many. Experts point out that many professionals have issues taking orders from younger colleagues or bosses and say that if the said younger person is your superior, you need to respect his/her position. Clinical psychologist Shweta Saxena, says, “It is very important and apt to think that workplace selections are based on the skills and not age. Thus, a boss is a boss no matter what his/her age is.”

Dr Alpes Panchal, psychiatrist, says, “Dealing with a younger boss or younger senior colleague leaves us with a cognitive dissonance, whether to respect the younger superior or not. If you’re able to see the situation not as superior-inferior, but as a job profile for which a person is best suited, the dissonance will be manageable. But, if one can’t cope with the dissonance, there will be passive aggressive actions, such as not fully listening to the younger superior, bitching or fault finding in his/her work. This might jeopardise your own position at work, which you may realise much later.”

EXPERIENCE OVER AGE

Having a younger boss in the office can often be a challenge and experts suggest that one should treat working with this person as an experience and not as much as an age related aspect. Saxena says, “Having a clear thought as far as this aspect is concerned will help us grow and focus well at work. Such a level of understanding and acceptance will keep you away from the unhealthy competitions or comparisons. It would also help you focus on self-growth rather than triggering unwanted friction in office.”

SHOW RESPECT

Other than reporting to a younger colleague, a fact that could really affect most people is the attitude change. “You may have been good friends before he/she got promoted. However, now, you have to realise that you two are professionals and are at

different levels.

So, respect each other’s positions and don’t take undue advantage of each other. There will be a change in behaviour,” says Saxena.

One should always remember that the person is an achiever if he/she is at such a good level at a young age. Saxena says, “Let them have their space in the office and

enjoy it.

Never try searching your footprints in their journeys because that isn’t your journey. Smartly understand that there might be people around, who would use this fact to create frictions between both of you. Let your professional maturity deal with it with a winning mind.”

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