10 Proven Tips for Working with a Younger Manager

Getting along with a manager can lead to a positive and productive work environment. But some workers find the relationship to be more difficult when the manager is younger than they are.

As we get older in the workplace, it’s bound to happen. And the generational difference can bring a unique set of challenges.

Here are some tips that can help you get along with a younger manager so you can thrive at work and continue to get ahead financially.

You may be familiar with certain stereotypes about your younger manager’s generation. 

Or you may even have your own preconceived notions that are preventing you from getting promoted and getting out of living paycheck to paycheck.

Let go of these ideas and don’t assume you know how the boss will act or think in certain situations. If you approach the relationship with an open mind, they’ll likely do the same with you.

Take time to get to know your manager on a more personal level. Do they have any favorite hobbies? Where did they grow up?

Learning more about your boss can help create familiarity in the new relationship. If the age gap makes things uncomfortable, making interactions a little more friendly might help.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself. You shouldn’t feel like you have to match the manager’s young energy or understand every reference they make.

Be confident in the personality you bring to the team. Just as you want to get to know the manager, being yourself can help them get to know you.

Some workers may feel the need to downplay their decades of experience if they have a younger manager or colleagues. They might fear coming off as condescending when talking about their work history.

Instead, take pride in your experience and openly talk about it with your boss. They likely already know a bit about your history, and this dialogue can allow you both to bring new and shared knowledge to the table. Just be careful about “lecturing” or “coaching” when you do this.

Just because the manager is younger doesn’t mean you know more than they do. Be open to learning new things from the boss.

Whether there’s a new app you haven’t explored or a project management solution you’re not familiar with, allow them to show you the ropes. 

This will help facilitate a relationship in which your manager might also be open to learning new things from you.

Respect the working relationship between you and the younger manager. They may not have as many years of experience as you, but there is likely a good reason they’re in the position they are in.

Don’t try to mentor or manage them. Instead, ask the manager if your expertise can be of support to them in any way. But if they decline, don’t sweat it. It likely doesn’t have anything to do with you.

If you’re struggling to find your footing with a younger manager, ask friends or colleagues for advice. Have they ever been in a similar situation? What tips can they offer for navigating the relationship?

It can help to hear their experiences and get a fresh perspective from people who have already been through it.

It can be tempting to focus on how different you and the manager are. But this will only create more distance between you.

As you get to know them and start working on projects together, try to notice the areas where you have things in common. 

Whether it’s the way you solve problems or a summer activity you both enjoy, take a moment to acknowledge it and bond over it.

Learn how your younger manager likes to communicate. Are they constantly asking for updates? Do they prefer instant message chats over in-person meetings?

Once you establish their preferences, you can more easily talk with them about how you communicate best. Then, work together to find communication methods that make sense for both of you.

If you’re still struggling in your relationship with a younger manager, it can help to focus on the team’s overarching goals, especially if you can earn a bonus to help you make more money.

Recognize that you and the boss are each there to deliver your best work. This can help you see the bigger picture. Remember that in the end, you and the manager have a shared goal.

Working for a younger manager can be challenging, especially if you have been in the industry for a few decades. Trying to relate to someone with different life experiences can be jarring at first.

However, with a little work and time, you can establish a healthy and meaningful relationship with your young boss. That will make it easier to boost your financial fitness in a job that feels fulfilling.