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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What’s the largest age differential you’d feel comfortable with, as a supervisor or employee?

I’m a gen-X senior nonprofit administrator applying to jobs at much larger organizations in a new content area. I’m interviewing with one potential boss who is 20+ years younger than me. He has more direct experience in this field, seems very ambitious, and I’m sure I can learn from him. But honestly, I’m feeling awkward about reporting to someone so young. And he may have reservations about supervising a cranky old(er) woman.

Do we all need to face reality that at some point, we get older and our bosses get younger (like doctors) or is this just an awkward fit for both of us? If the job seems perfect in other ways, how can I adjust my mindset? Do I just need to get over myself?[/quote]

I am sympathetic to this being hard. I'm almost 40, have not yet experienced this, but I know it's coming, and I think that would be difficult for me. I have in the past supervised people older than me, and it was a challenge (I was in my 20s, they were in their 50s). But I learned a TON from them and from the experience, and I like to think that I treated them with respect and that they were comfortable with the arrangement, at least by the end.

Your last paragraph really nails it. This is the reality - as we get older, our bosses will get younger. This is NOT a good reason to not take the job. You'll really be needlessly limiting yourself, and this problem will only get worse and more common as you age. I hate to say it, but you do, on some level, just need to get over yourself. This in particular feels like a good opportunity, because while he is younger than you, he has more direct experience and know you can learn from him. I think it's harder when (true or untrue) you feel the person isn't well qualified and that you should really be in charge (which can often happen when someone younger than you is promoted to your boss, it happens).

As far as the mindset shift - give yourself time. The fact that you know he's a subject matter expert and that you can learn from him is good. I think if you go in with that vibe (that you're open to learning from him) you'll be in a good place. Hopefully, he will go in with the mindset that he can learn from you, too, as you have different experiences that are valuable.

In some ways, it's a lot like any other kind of diversity. If you go in with an open mind and the understanding that your experiences are different and you can learn from each other, it could really work out well. [/quote]

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