As a 40+ SM I am finding it harder and harder to report to Partners younger than me. Any suggestions on getting through it?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Maybe I’m the odd one , but age doesn’t matter to me so long as the person does their job well. I’ve worked with younger and older and I’ve learned something from everyone. Age doesn’t always confer (in)ability

Not saying this is you, but I have found age-related issues (not based on performance), have more to do with one’s own expectations than anything else. Ageism works in both directions.

like

I focus on what matters to me. There are many partners younger than me. They chose to make the sacrifice to get there. I made my choice to have other careers and pit stops in my journey. I make good money, enjoy traveling, and like the work I am doing.

like

Now that I’m late 40s, I’m more and more likely to see people at and above my level who are younger. I look at them, I see what they’re good at, and I strive to be as effective as them as well as celebrating their successes because I know it’s what they’d do for me. It’s not a competition, rather, we are all in it together to pull one another up versus pull people back down

like

Same!

Self reflection on why you haven’t made it - work to make it there or start fresh somewhere else...

likefunny

ZS - not everyone wants to make it to partner. SM might be where OP wants to be - and if this is the case, it can still be hard to report to someone who is younger.

likehelpful

In the same boat, my MD is a much younger micromanager. I am trying to ignore him as much as possible and focus on the client and the project delivery

like

Are you saying it's always his way?Is your entire professional career revolves around partners or EM's? Hmm..looks silly to me as they are just part of your journey but not destination...

like

Everyone has their paths and you end up in a situation based on multiple factors. No point judging yourself - you can reflect and plan ahead. That said, with IPO's like Facebook etc, you will have plenty opportunities to interact with younger bosses. My current boss is slightly younger and had his first kid in the past few months. I have kids much older than him. He jas less domain expertise than me but he has been at the firm longer than me, which makes him valuable to check political aspects of decisions and discussions. He has his idiosyncrasies and I have mine. So given the business at hand, I focus on my work delivery of it and take experience, age etc out of it. At the end of the day, he has to evaluate my performance and rate me. So who conforms to whom? Ofcourse I dont do everything he says and bring in a healthy debate, as needed. Some facts are there to be accepted. Once accepted, you then figure out how best to do the given job.

like

Management moves faster than staff - some up, many out. What’s the survival rate of young partners? Personally, I’d rather work with clients than the BS partners spend their time doing.

like

Just do your work the best you can and offer insight when necessary. Experience matters and if they still are you treating you like an associate - have a upward feedback moment. If that doesn’t work - leave or find a new role. Life is too short. If you are beyond looking - then know you are close To the finish line.

like

I am in a team of youngsters (avg age 30 perhaps) and honestly started feeling odd now. I don't mind not having grown up the ladder, never wanted to. However, now I do miss surrounded by folks of my age with whom I can share my age talks. Now I am missing chosing a path where there was growth. Time to reflect!!

like

I'm 56, a SM, and generally I don't mind it. But i do wish my experience was more appreciated some times.

like

Work on being grateful! For your job, your benefits, your health, your life in general. There are a lot worse things in life than a younger boss.

like

I pretend I'm in their shoes.

like

I have several older consultants who now work for me. One of them was a partner at Accenture when I was an analyst working for them and now they are working for me. You have to put ego aside - everyone has incredible experiences and perspectives to share regardless if they are 20, 30 or 50. I have a 23 year old engineer who presents to clients better than most Senior Mgrs I have worked with in the past. And no one resents him, they celebrate him and learn from him. And he learns from everyone else. Age has and never will be a factor at my company and it’s super refreshing.

like

Grow up... ;)

like

Partner 1... what does "grow up" mean? That is a stupid response. Most SMs over 40 are SMs because we found our way to consulting or Big 4 consulting after industry or other paths. From my experience, most older SMs are just as qualified as Partners just less arrogant.

like

Suggestions on getting through it depends on what is causing it. Why is it difficult?

Age matters.

?

I'm acutely feeling it today.

Go bust your butt and make partner

I am 40+,still a consultant reporting to much juniors. I don't like it either but I have bills to pay and no job in pipeline

Related Posts

Had a really great convo with a friend who still hasn’t got the vax yet, and they said it opened their mind when I was willing to discuss with them openly and hear how they feel (I got the vax early). I’m curious, if you still haven’t been vaccinated what type of conversation might change your mind?

like

Is it common for potential employers to ask to see your current compensation package with proof? Would you do it if asked?

like

TIAA Vodafone
Hi fishes,
I have offers from both _VOIS and TIAA
Need your help to understand how which would be better in terms of WLB, culture and overall benefits.
YoE 6 years
TechStack : Cybersecurity (IAM / SailPoint iiq development)

like

When having career discussions (with a HM or your current boss), how has everyone handled job-titles that weren't "Product Manager" but you were performing the functions/role? I had a role in my past where our formal job title was "Senior Consultant" but we internally referred to ourselves as "Product Leads". I don't want to mislead others.

Hi,

Whats the salary band for consultant-2 in business consulting? TIA

like

That moment when your "smart" plan to boost your hours this month by working the Labor Day weekend (thus turning down all the fun plans your friends made) becomes sitting on your hands & feeling dumb because all the partners are too busy to delegate anything. The worst kind of "off" day is one you planned to /wanted to work, but there's no billable work...

likefunny
like

Hi All,

I'm looking for referral in data engineering.
I'm having 2 year of relevant experience in data engineering.

like

I have an offer of $80k pa at Greensboro NC location, is it worth considering the cost of living over there?? Do I have to negotiate?

like

Hey fellow fishies! There have been some questions lately about men lurking in this bowl. I’ve reached out to Fishbowl and a rep reassured me that only users who identify as women are allowed access to this bowl. If any men have misrepresented their gender in order to gain access, please flag the user and/or reach out to a bowl leader or Fishbowl support asap! Definitely want to make sure this space remains safe and private so we can continue to share freely 🙏

likeuplifting

I have an offer from MetLife for full stack Developer which pays $145k in NYC. Should I go for it? How is the growth for developers in MetLife?MetLife

like

How is the medical insurance policy at HCL Technologies?

like

Hello HR folks. Overheard a conversation at work and am curious what is the norm.
If an employee goes out on FMLA, obviously the benefits person sends them the STD, FMLA paperwork etc. But is it the maagers responsibility to maintain communication with the person out on leave and to get a timeline on their return or would that be the benefits team? Or maybe the HRBP?

like

I just got an offer from Deloitte for more than 30K increase to what I’m making at SAP. Has anyone here worked for DT and can provide insights on what DT is like vs. SAP?

like

Does anyone do adult dance as a workout? Like ballet, or take other types of dance classes? How do you find it? As a kid, certain sports have a kind of intense environment, but I’m curious if adults feel this way if they take classes for things like dance.

like

As realtors, have you ever faced harassment from a client?

like

Would you quit MBB for FAANG PM? In North America.

like

Does anyone know what type of salary I can expect working at a hedge fund like citadel and two sigma in a financial analyst role (3-4yrs experience)

like

Fishes!
Is anyone here planning for MS in US in Fall 2023? (MS in MIS or MS in Business/Data Analytics)

If yes, pls comment below and let's connect! Thanks!

like
like

Additional Posts in Over 40 in Consulting

Amazing there’s over 20k people in this bowl. Collective wisdom must be astounding. What’s your best bit of advice for an early 40’s, single woman feeling like her career is reaching a plateau?

likehelpful

After a year of waiting and caregiving while managing multiple projects, we finally got the call that they found a new liver for my wife.

We're getting out of the crucible as diamonds and not ash. Figured I'd share good news rather than the usual vitriolic rants. 😂

likeuplifting

This may be an odd question, but what word do others use to introduce their long term cohabiting partner? Feels weird to say girlfriend/boyfriend when we’re both over 45

Worried about my thinning hair, does anyone have experience of Haarklinnikken’s treatments?

like

Favorite vintage TV show? I’ll go first - I liked watching Dick Van Dyke show growing up. The commercials were fun then, when Dick would pull out a Kent cigarette and make a sales pitch. The show was great with Mary Tyler Moore.

like

Who here doesn’t work on the weekends but feels guilty and constantly thinks about work that they could be doing?

I should be in a better mental mindset at this point (almost 45). No interest in becoming a partner or CEO. TC is over $250k…

like

If you can go back in time to your first 3 years as an consultant, what would you do differently?

like

Considering a move from Delivery side of consulting to the Sales side (i.e. selling work, RFPs, opportunity/deal conversion). Been in delivery for over 20 years and feel I need a change. I get to "test drive" the role and do it for a year. Any one been on the Sales side and Delivery side for a time and have an opinion and why they like one over the other? Thanks!

like

Dealing with aging parents. What was the moment you and your siblings decided to step in and take control? What would you have done differently? More in next post.

like

Whoa did I join this or did the app join me automatically? Just turned 40 ;)

funnylike

Anyone else having WFH fatigue? I had been traveling weekly for business the last 20+ years, but the last 3 months at home has been personally challenging. I love my wife and 3 boys — but I need some “alone time” which I used to have when traveling. Sometimes I get in my car and go for a drive but it’s not enough. Seems like this WFH is the new working model for the future. Anyone else feel this way?

likehelpfulsmart

Which consulting firms have mandatory retirements? Are these age limits only for partner level?

In this day and age we live much longer, and plan to work longer, so should these be allowed?

Question from a way over 40, got into consulting late, and only a few years from social security person. How do you stay motivated enemy you will age out before next promotion?

helpful

Do you find Goodreads book recommends are accurate or is there another app that you find has better recommendations?

Is the current market/impending recession having anyone looking to delay retirement?

like

Anyone else here who drastic career changed?Tired of being told what to do by teammates, subcontractors 15 years younger, when we have the same titles and I’ve been on the project longer. How to deal?

like

Thank goodness there were no phone cameras or social media when we were young and stupid

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone self manages their assets and uses a fee only financial planner? How much do they charge and is it based on % of assets or fixed fee or hourly, etc.

like

My SO and I have been together for 2 years. Plan to propose next year. However, I’ve been struggling with this and need advice. My SO works for an NGO that does great work, but gets paid ~60k. Contd.

COVID halted living out of suite case and allowed dinner at home with family. Discovering what my life should have been. With rapid vaccination, I cringe at the thought of meaningless nights on the road again. Since I am older (and wiser, hopefully), see how things unfold and probably make a different choice (than did as a younger person).

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal