Career doctor: Managing older staff
Q: I am 29 and have just been promoted to sales manager of a team in another division of the company. I am ready for the challenge, yet apprehensive as I am a lot younger than any of the reps. I want to start off well with the team and gain respect, but I am unsure where to begin. Can you help?
A: Congratulations firstly on getting this promotion. Managing older staff can be challenging and sometimes awkward for a younger person. It is essential you learn how to motivate and manage your team. Try not to stereotype or make assumptions about older people, for example, that they are set in their ways or can’t learn new technologies. Your team are all individuals, regardless of age, so treat them that way.
Your older reps have an invaluable asset that you likely don’t — they have been there and done that. Use this to your advantage and enable these more experienced reps to mentor and coach younger members so they can benefit from their extensive knowledge and experience.
Personalise your management style. Everyone on your team is different. It is important to understand how an older employee may differ from a younger employee in terms of social interaction and work expectations. Once you understand that, it will be easier to adjust your management techniques accordingly.
Motivate the reps based on what is important to them. Older employees typically aren’t focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Many have already done that. At this stage of their careers, they may be more interested in receiving recognition for good work, or rewards such as monetary bonuses or extra days off.
It is important also to provide specific feedback to older employees, and not to assume that because they are older they do not need it. Hold regular meetings in which employees can express their concerns and ideas.
Most good ideas don’t spring from teams where everyone agrees. Embrace the different views and personalities of those on your team and leverage the diversity of the team members’ backgrounds to boost innovation and find better ways of working and dealing with your customers. This way, the entire team will reap the rewards.
Maria Betts is a director of Momentum Business Coaching.
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