Rule with a dimpled fist?Being a young boss carries special challenges It's it's 1. Contraction of it is. 2. Contraction of it has. See Usage Note at its. it's it is or it has it's be ~have your first day as a supervisor at your new job and you're excited to meet the staff. Smiling confidently, you walk into the conference room where everyone--many around the same age as your parents--is gathered. The room falls silent. "Good morning," you say. "Are we ready to begin?" "Yep," says a man in the front. "Soon as the boss gets here." Is this a bad sign? The day hasn't even begun yet and you're already being mistaken for an assistant. What do you do? What do you say? Always the optimist, you never considered that your age might work against you--at least not this soon. This new position may be more challenging than you initially thought. Perhaps. "But with a little forethought fore·thought n. 1. Deliberation, consideration, or planning beforehand. 2. Preparation or thought for the future. See Synonyms at prudence. things may work out beautifully," says Kate Wendleton, president of the Five O'Clock Club, a career counseling Noun 1. career counseling - counseling on career opportunities counseling, counselling, guidance, counsel, direction - something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action network in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . Wendleton, who managed a crew of 50-somethings when she was in her 20s, offers a few helpful suggestions for bosses who are younger than most or all of their staff: * Get a reality check. Realize that natural ability and hard work are not the only factors that got you where you are today. "We're currently experiencing one of the best job markets we've had in 25 years," says Wendleton. "Young people are getting good jobs with rapid advancement potential." * Remember that everyone is important. Don't write off-older staff members. They have a lot of valuable life and work experience that may be useful to you. Seek out and listen to their advice--their perspective may steer steer castrated male cattle beast over a year of age. See also bullock, buller steer. steer bulling see bulling. steer Medtalk verb you around professional snafus. * Avoid stereotypes. Don't assume that older staff members are all dinosaurs <onlyinclude> This list of dinosaurs is a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been included in the superorder Dinosauria, excluding class Aves (birds, both living and those known only from fossils) and purely vernacular terms. who can't or won't learn new strategies and technology. Don't assume that they're content where they are professionally, either. Give them the same attention and encouragement that you would a younger staff member who you know is trying to advance his or her career and learn new things. * Be understanding and empathetic em·pa·thet·ic adj. Empathic. em  pa·thet i·cal·ly adv. . Have you taken a minute to
imagine how your staff feels about reporting to you? "Taking orders
from you probably feels as strange as your giving orders to them,"
says Wendleton. Make it a point to pay attention to their misgivings and
limitations as well as their strengths. In time, they'll learn to
trust you and have faith in your management.
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