A new survey by job Web site Career Builders shows that many workers are older than their bosses, and it's not a problem arrangement for a lot of them. In this survey of more than 5,000 workers: 43% ages 35 and older currently work for someone younger than they are; 53% of workers age 45 and up say they have a boss younger than they are; and 69% of those age 55 and over say they do.

Here are the reasons given by those respondents who have trouble working with their younger bosses:
“They act like they know more than I do, but they don't.”
“They act like they are entitled – they didn't earn their position.”
“They micromanage.”
“They don't give me enough direction.”
“They play favorites with younger workers.”

So here are my tips for succeeding in these increasingly common reporting and team relationships, many of which apply whether you are the older or younger person.

Do:
Support and show respect for the younger manager.
Learn how to manage up so you will be valued.
Be open to new ideas, even if untested.
Look for mutual mentoring opportunities.
Be tactful and sensitive in making constructive suggestions for improvement.
Learn the manager’s communication style – and flex yours if necessary.

Don’t:
Talk about how things used to be, the good old days.
Put down ideas.
Adapt a communication style or interests that seem inauthentic to seem cool.
Overvalue years of experience.
Withhold information that will help the younger manager succeed or reject a collaborative style.

© Phyllis Weiss Haserot, 2010. All rights reserved.