HBR On Leadership When You Make the Leap to Manager
17 snips
Mar 20, 2024 
In this discussion, Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor specializing in organizational behavior, shares invaluable insights for new managers. She tackles the challenges of leading older employees, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and clear communication. Brooks also highlights the unique struggle women face in balancing warmth and competence in leadership roles. Listeners gain actionable advice on navigating personal disclosures, managing expectations, and the intricacies of authority in modern workplaces.
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Bridging the Age Gap
- Dress professionally, discuss shared interests, and show respect to minimize age difference perceptions.
- Balance demonstrating competence with building personal connections to earn trust and respect from older subordinates.
Focus on Work and Reveal Failures
- Focus on work tasks and demonstrate competence to build trust with resentful older subordinates.
- Openly discuss past failures to address potential envy and inspire team members.
Minimize Age Gap
- Minimize perceived age gaps as a young manager by adapting communication style and avoiding emphasizing age differences.
- Focus on shared professional interests rather than generational differences to build rapport.