Boomers: How to Work with a Team Younger Than Your Kids
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Baby boomers everywhere are lamenting the same workplace development. All of a sudden, the people working in their offices are younger than their children, who are now approaching the ripe age of 30. And somehow, the same millennial traits of self-assurance and eagerness that were cute in their kids have become annoying in their teammates. If you are in this boat, fear not. Here are a few ways to work effectively with those twenty-somethings without losing your sanity:



Be a Parental Figure



This one may be controversial because many people believe parents (even surrogate ones) have no place in the work environment. But twenty-somethings want an office culture that feels like family, and they want to have someone older to whom they can turn when things get scary and stressful. So show interest in their lives and learn their individual styles. If you can build trust by having an open door and a listening ear, you will be more successful at implementing the tactics below.



Rein Them In



A twenty-something just out of college with too many ideas and not enough political savvy is a dangerous thing. Once you have established a personal rapport, tell them that they’ll be more effective if they try to solve one problem at a time instead of attempting to take over the company overnight. Perhaps suggest ways that they can make a difference without stepping on toes.