Dear Seasoned and Surprised, 

This is actually not nearly as uncommon as you may think, and I’m glad you reached out for advice. 

First of all, the situation is only weird if you make it weird. To your new manager, you’re another member of the team, and I’m sure they’re much more concerned with the value you add to the company than your age. So, take a deep breath, and let’s go over some simple ways to handle a younger (even a much younger) than you boss.

My first piece of advice is to be respectful. This is especially difficult because it can often feel patronizing or demoralizing to be directed by someone with less experience. But, would you roll your eyes or deliver a snappy comment to any of your previous managers? Probably not. 

Banned phrases should include phrases such as: “When I was your age,” “We used to do it this way, and “After you’ve been doing this as long as I have, you’ll see what I mean.” This is just a basic rule that will keep you out of trouble, and help you earn the respect of your new boss. 

You also have to change your mindset to view this as an exciting opportunity. This part is hard, but you need to trust that if your boss wasn’t right for the job, they wouldn’t have it. I recommend writing down or thinking of one thing a day that is good about having a younger boss. Do this for an entire work week, and I promise you’ll go into that second week feeling a whole lot better. 

Some examples off the top of head are: The department has fresh energy, I get to learn new ways of doing my job that may improve efficiency, I have someone to appreciate my fun taste in socks… You get the idea. Flip what you could see as a threat or demoralizing and challenge yourself to see the silver lining. 

Last piece of advice is to be yourself. Don’t try to use the hip lingo or dress like how your younger co-workers do if it doesn’t feel natural. Millennials value authenticity, so be yourself and you’ll get their respect (and feel good doing it). 

I hope these help as you adjust. It will take some time, so remember to be kind and patient with yourself. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite affirmations. “You are exactly where you are supposed to be.”

Sincerely,
Jenny