How a young leader can manage an older workforce

With youth comes a variety of challenges; the transition to adolescence, making huge decisions about your future and starting a career.   

Young leaders may face the hardest challenges, with questioning of their authority, knowledge and lack of experience by their elder peers. Jordan Daykin, CEO of GripIt Fixings and one of Britain's Leading Young Entrepreneurs gives his advice on managing an older workforce.

Old habits die hard

“‘Don't be the boss - at least, don't appear to be’ – I once read. It’s important that business leaders endeavour to treat all staff equally, irrespective of their age, and as the old saying goes, treat those as you would wish to be treated - in the workplace this extends to not asking anyone to do anything you aren’t prepared to do yourself. This is particularly true as the owner of a start-up. There are mundane tasks during the early days but this gives young leaders the chance to get stuck in with everyone – don’t immediately delegate. Old habits die hard, so give older employees time to get used to you as a leader and show them you’re on their side.”