APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who wants to be respected by their new team.
Q) I’m in my early 30s and have just moved to a different part of the business, as I’ve been promoted to manage a team.
All of this should be great, except most of the people I now manage are older than me and they don’t seem to take me seriously.
I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am, and I really want to be a good manager, but now I’m constantly second-guessing myself.
I want to be respected without acting like a dictator.
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How do I foster respect and lead a team that sees me as young and inexperienced?
Livvy
A) Congratulations on your promotion.
Remember, you were promoted because of your ability, so don’t undermine yourself by thinking being younger makes you “less than”.
If you carry yourself like you deserve to be there, people will treat you that way.
Respect doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come from shouting the loudest or acting like a dictator.
It comes from showing fairness, consistency and competence.
Deliver results, make clear decisions and back your team when they need you.
Older colleagues may have more years under their belt, but use that to your advantage: ask for their input, value their knowledge and make them feel part of the process.
Nothing makes a team lose faith quicker than a leader who constantly second-guesses themself and everyone else, so take advice, weigh it up, then make a decision and stick with it.
You’ve been given this opportunity because you deserve it.
Don’t waste time doubting yourself – instead, prove why you were the right choice.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
