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5 Tips for Managing Someone Older Than You

5 Tips for Managing Someone Older Than You

Your goal: become a great manager who can inspire and motivate any employee. Yet, you may encounter problems as you try to manage workers who are older than you.

There can be times when older employees appear unwilling to listen. Or, you may encounter older workers who believe they know what’s best, regardless of circumstance. However, you are responsible for helping staff members — both young and old — perform at peak levels. And if you fine-tune your management skills, you can inspire and motivate all employees, of all ages.

Here are five tips to help your older employees and all other personnel.

1. Foster Relationships

Spend time learning about each employee. It can be beneficial to host regular one-on-one meetings with workers. These meetings give you opportunities to find out how a worker feels about your business. They also enable you to lay the groundwork for meaningful relationships with your staff.

Over time, regular meetings with employees can improve camaraderie. These meetings show employees you care about them and want to learn from them. As such, you can host ongoing sessions to build relationships with your team and ensure each employee is fully supported.

2. Work with Your Team

Resist the urge to take a hands-off management approach. Rather, get in the trenches with your workers and do your part to assist them in any way possible.

A hands-on approach shows your employees you want them to thrive. It makes it easy for workers to get in contact with you if they have any concerns or questions, too. So, be a team player, and you and your staff can work together to achieve outstanding results.

3. Recognize Top Performers

Highlight top performers across your team. These employees have worked diligently to meet or achieve your expectations. By recognizing these workers, you can show them that you value their contributions.

In addition, offer incentives to bolster employee performance. Providing bonuses, time off from work, and other perks can lead an employee to give their all.

4. Be Authentic

Trust your instincts and judgment. If you have a concern or question for an employee, share it with him or her. And be unafraid to do what you feel is best for your team.

As a manager, you are entrusted to make decisions that impact your company. If you act with confidence, you can instill confidence in your staff. This can lead your employees to believe in you and follow your lead.

5. Collect Feedback

Ask employees to provide feedback about your work as their manager. You can use surveys and questionnaires to retrieve employee feedback. Meanwhile, this feedback can give you a glimpse into your management performance.

Your workers can help you become an effective manager. Employee feedback can highlight your management strengths and weaknesses. When used properly, employee feedback can help discover ways to get the most out of your team.

Find the Right Management Role

The aforementioned tips can help you become a great manager. Of course, if you want to pursue management roles, Techneeds can help. We offer job placement assistance to those interested in manager jobs across New England. Explore our job board today!