Leading an Experienced Team
I have been in leadership roles since 2011 - I was 22 years old.
As a Youth Programmer (for those of you “Non-Rec-ies,” that’s the person who plans and executes summer camps, kids basketball classes, etc.), I had several instructors between 16-80 years old but as independent contractors who were skilled professionals in their specific areas only minor oversight was required.
Yet I struggled as I progressed into roles with more staff requiring additional leadership. How do I tell a 54-year-old man who has been doing this work for 30 years that he needs to change? Or a lifeguard who has forgotten more than I’ll ever know about pools to adjust their approach?
As a young leader, managing a team of individuals who are older and more experienced than you can be a daunting task. But it's essential to remember the role of the titled leader* when heading into these situations.
*Note: I’ve recently started using the phrase ‘titled leader’ because I believe leadership can happen at all levels, and you can lead upwards, downwards, sideways, and internally. So for his conversation, I’m specifically referring to people you supervise!
In a way, a team of super-experienced people can make the leader's job easier… if you know how to harness it properly! Here are some tips to help you lead staff who are older than you:
Remember that your role is not to know; it's to inspire.
If you think you were hired to lead a team because you know the answer to everything, why on earth are you paying all of those other people!?
A strong leader works hard to get the best out of every person on their team. So if you use their strengths, creativity, attitude and skillsets to create the best results, remember that it isn’t your job to know the in’s-and-outs. Keep this in mind throughout the rest of this post!!
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." - Lao Tzu
Have quiet confidence in what YOU bring to the team.
Sure, your team is full of outstanding, talented individuals. But you are great too! You also have a skill set that has led you to where you are. Sometimes it is good to share that confidence with your team because they’ll know they’re in great hands. But, I caution you: wait until they have a bit of trust in you. Confidence and arrogance look very similar - often it just depends on the connection between the individuals involved. So until then, engage in positive self-talk or confide in a trusted friend/mentor/partner to brag about yourself to!
Be respectful and open to learning.
There are very few things people love more than demonstrating their skills. And your team has a lot of experience you will benefit from knowing! By honouring their experience using phrases like “Wow, we are so fortunate to have you and all of your expertise on this project.” and “Every time we talk, I feel like I’ve learned a bit more - thank you for teaching me!”, you become more human to your team and they feel valued. You need their experience to succeed, and they will be more likely to openly share that experience if they get warm fuzzies about doing so.
Communicate effectively.
Communication can be challenging! Communicate your expectations, goals, and feedback clearly and concisely. Check out our blog on clear feedback here!
Build relationships.
Have you ever heard the saying that work is like a second home? Well, if that's the case, then your coworkers are like your second family - you spend lots of time with them, you don’t always get along, and there’s usually one or two odd ones in the bunch (can’t think of who the odd one is? I have some terrible news…its probably you. Haha! Just kidding). So, it's essential to take the time to get to know them on a personal level because, let's face it, work can get a little dull if you're just talking about spreadsheets and deadlines all day. So, why not spice things up and ask them about their hobbies, favourite music, or favourite karaoke song? Not only will it make the workday more enjoyable, but it can also help build stronger relationships and foster a more positive work environment. Who knows, maybe you'll even discover a shared love for Thai food or a mutual obsession with 90s sitcoms. So, don't be shy; take a few minutes to get to know your coworkers beyond their job titles, and you might be surprised at how much fun you can have at work!
Remember, age and experience do not determine a person's ability to lead or be led by others. While the above tips have helped me in 90% of situations, some people may still doubt your abilities, question you at every turn, or simply lack respect for your positional authority. These individuals may require a sit-down conversation where you lay it all on the table and get to the root of what might be the issue. For more on that, our next blog will cover this type of chat!! Can’t wait that long? Reach out, and we would be happy to discuss this further.
