Ever had to manage someone older than you? When I first stepped into a leadership role at 29, one of my direct reports was in his late 50s and had been at the company for over 20 years. He was respectful, but I could feel the skepticism in every interaction—like he was waiting for me to prove I deserved the title. I constantly second-guessed myself, even when I knew I was making the right call. It taught me a lot about listening more, showing humility, and building trust over time—but it was hard. How do you establish authority and mutual respect when you're leading someone with way more experience than you?

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

Leading someone with more experience requires confidence and humility. I’ve found that acknowledging their expertise while clearly communicating your role as their manager helps build mutual respect. It’s not about proving you're smarter—it’s about showing you’re there to lead and learn.

Related Posts

Battle of the Ryes whilst watching the White Lotus season finale.

Post Photo
like

How long does it take post the technical interview rounds to hear back from the recruiter?

Have a 2/15 call on ghiv. Tanking today, drop it?

like

thinking about making the move to Havas, I’ve heard they’re making a lot of changes and restructuring. Trying not to base my decision off of all the rumours. Any thoughts from current employees?

like
uplifting

Hi Fishes,
I will be joining KPMG global services and first time coming under tax slab.
Can anyone please share monthly payslip as I wanted to plan my rent according to HRA?
Also please share the Annual basic so that I can calculate my HRA accordingly.
Attaching my compensation plan.
Pleaaaaassssse helppppppppp.

Post Photo
like

Hi folks,
How much Wipro pays for Europe on-site role with B3 designation.

like

How many hikes are there in Wipro every year?

like

Hi fishes,

As per my Offer letter there is component is Engagement PB.
Will this i get monthly ?

What’s a good Marriott Bonvoy points vs $ conversion to make decisions on using points or $?
I’m contemplating 40k points vs $168 including taxes at a category 4 location

Folks with united mileageplus silver status, if you are traveling to Asia on United operated flights with 3 companions on same ticket, do they get the same baggage allowance of 2 bags 70lbs each?

like

Target Corporate: do they drug test? What other major corporations?

like

I'm trying to lose weight. I have a fridge & microwave in my room. what should I bring everyday for lunch? I stopped drinking soda, what else can I do?

like

Can anyone tell me the procedures after submitting my employee form in portal. How the onboarding and next steps will be.

like

Biden doesn't even remember who he is running against?! He called Trump by "George" yesterday. This is just unbelievable, man. The guy cannot become President....

likesmart

How soon did you know the practice of law was not for you, and when did you start acting on it? Approaching my second year and have felt this in some form since my six month mark.

like

Hi,
I have 2 years and 7 months of experience as a DevOps Engineer. Currently working as Senior Software Engineer in a MNC.
I have worked on the tools such as Kubernetes, Docker, Jenkins, Git (GitLab and GitHub)/Gerrit and Other DevOps Tool Chains such as Artifactory and Monitoring Tools. But not cloud experience like AWS, Azure (have on Premises cloud exposure).
I'm looking for job change. Any leads will be appreciated.

like

Hi,. 24F YOE = 2years10months Work = DevOps and cloud (AWS) . I have two offers, both from same work. SAP Sal 11.7 fixed + 1.3 Vpay = 13LPA Airbus Sal 14.3 fixed + 2.7Vpay = 17.5 LPA and 5L joining (should be given back if early exit in 3years) Both companies have other benefits apart from CTC. Can anyone suggest which one to decide? I have some idea on SAP labs but not sure about airbus when it comes to work life balance, career growth, team. thank you and much appreciated

like
like

Additional Posts in People Managers

It feels very telling that there are so few people in this group. Any thoughts on that? It feels like the vast majority of people managers only want the title and don’t want to worry about their people.

likesmart

I got into Management a year ago and now I miss developing. How do software engineers turned managers feel about their switch over to people management?

Anyone have suggestions on a team building exercise or consultant/coaching to build/improve energy. I feel 2020 was such a big drain on everyone’s energy and spirit just looking for ways to start the year out on a more positive note. TIA

like

You're a new manager with direct reports. One of your directs is very determined. You consider yourself a good manager so you want to help them grow. They are killing it and taking on an enormous of workload, and executing flawlessly. Do you let them continue killing it? Ask how they're doing? Or warn/advise them on how to avoid burnout?

like

Hi! Any career coaches who offer a full support throughout job search?

-Experience: 8 years of project/program management and/or communication
-Companies of interest: Google, Microsoft, Facebook
-Location: Washington DC or VA

Looking to apply for a manager role in my CS team. Any tips for the interview?

4 years of CS experience, no management experience

Whats your biggest challenge as a manager?

What do you enjoy most?

How do you manage your friends/people who used to be in your team?

Any interview tips appreciated! Last time failed the interview cause did not show a proper action plan. Find it tough as I do not know what challenges my manager has

like

What was your salary as a first time manager (and where were you based)?

like

For the past 25+ years, I've been a devops engineer, cloud architect and team lead on many projects. I would like to make a career move into IT Management (i.e. DevOps Manager, Director of Cloud Ops, etc.). When it comes to skills needed, what should my focus be on and how would that translate onto a resume? I would love to still be hands-on to utilize my tech knowledge.

like

A report opened to me that they are having money problems and wants a raise. We are remote and they moved to a high CoL city. We gave an increase to help with retention 6mths ago. In my response, I helped mentor with best practices on how to ask for a raise professionally since I need to make a case to my Head on finances. But their performance has been avg and not seemingly worthy of another large raise within a short period of time. But how do I respond when they talk about personal finances?

like

One of my top talents just put in his two weeks notice and I had nothing to offer him to stay. I told upper management this was going to happen! I’ve spent months asking for a promotion for him, trying to push his career forward and got no traction. I know i did my best. He knows i tried. I still believe i work at a good place but i feel like we’re losing focus. I feel my boss is leaving soon. It’s a mess.

like

Does anyone else just not even want to be a people manager anymore?! The amount of work this is taking, I’m just so over it. In addition to them piling on my work (which is a full time job) the people management stuff is just as much a full time job that no one in management seems to take into account. I have tried countless times to explain this but I end up burnt out, everyone suffers including me. I just left one role bc of it and now this new role, same thing. I’m over it.

like

Newer manager here (18 moths). Recent org announcements and hiring holds have put major stress on my team. Some are hyper focused on all the bad, how do I get buy-in that this is temporary and we still have a job to do? I feel it’s more important than ever to show value vs being task takers.

like

Any books suggestions?

like

Hi. People Manager here. I've been one for 12 years now and I encourage my team to not be "yes" people. At this time, it feels like my manager wants me and my team to be yes people for her. How do I deal with this? I've never been a yes person and I don't preach this to my reports. I don't know what to do. Help?

Looking for info about the engineering culture at Netflix from the perspective of someone who identifies as a woman or non-binary person and is also a person of color. Do you feel safe and included? Would also love some input from someone in a leadership position, do you feel supported as a leader?

like

I have a direct report who is smart, passionate about her job and can be really innovative. However she carries this enormous weight of responsibility, for needing to do everything, do it right, make sure it's perfect, not trusting colleagues to help. It creates dread and panic and overwhelming workload and a terrible attitude for her and I am speaking with her this week to start to shift her mindset. Any tips in navigating how to let go of this heavy idea of "responsibility"?

likehelpful

I’m a manager and one of my direct reports makes more than me. It really bothers me. Anyone else been in this situation before? What’s the best way to handle it?

like

What is your toughest challenge hiring someone in their early 20’s?
For lots of different reasons I get the impression that younger people aren’t equipped for the employer, employee relationship.

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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