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Going into a leadership role at a young age is a great opportunity - but also a challenge (symbol image)
Photo: Maria Pontomariova / iStockphoto / Getty
I am a business graduate.
I wasn't interested in physics or even electronics in the past.
Then I ended up in an electronics company.
As a young clerk among technicians, it wasn't always easy for me.
Some employees tried to take me for a fool.
Once a hardware developer was not able to finish his development in time.
He justified this to me with numerous technical reasons.
Meanwhile, he had the layout of his project open on his screen.
And I casually pointed out some traces that were misplaced - which is why his board couldn't work at all.
Recognizing this mistake gave me respect.
Since then, I haven't had any outrageous stories on the table.
Getting into a leadership role as a young person is a great opportunity.
But many young executives first have to get used to their position.
To do this, they need skills on two levels: technical and hierarchical.
You can develop further on both – especially if you know what stumbling blocks are lurking here.
The professional level
Technical knowledge is usually not the most important factor in successfully leading a team.
However, employees often find it easier to accept a manager who they also attribute professional competence to.
That's how it was for me when I recognized the error in the printed circuit board.
The problem:
young people are often not trusted to have such a high level of professional competence.
The common opinion is that acquiring knowledge and skills takes a lot of time.
Conversely, this means that if you are young and look young, you have to prove yourself when it comes to technical expertise.
What helps:
In order to position yourself well professionally as a manager, you should above all remain interested and curious.
At lunch with the developers, for example, I hear what they are currently grappling with.
Over time, I have come to understand which questions are best asked in which order in order to solve a technical problem.
I also regularly read electrical engineering journals.
In this way I can develop a basic understanding and get to know the most important terms - and of course use them myself.
Trade journals are also well suited for an overview of technical innovations.
If the management role requires in-depth technical expertise, you can also look for further training or get a second degree.
The hierarchical level
In a management position, structure, organization and communication are much more important than specialist knowledge.
If you are going to lead a team for the first time, you first have to learn how to do it.
The problem:
there are people who find it easier to lead than others.
It has little to do with age.
Older people do not automatically have more experience and skills - young people, on the other hand, can be talented and may have already gained management experience in a sports club or volunteering.
Still, authority is often a challenge when you're younger than, or at least the same age as, the team you're leading.
What helps:
You don't have this experience alone.
At the beginning it was very good for me to exchange ideas with other young managers in networks.
In the conversations, I quickly realized that the conflicts were not about me as a person, but about the role I had.
That relieved me a lot.
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Depending on the size of the company, there are also internal mentoring programs.
There you can talk openly with an experienced manager who can give tips.
Critical situations can also be discussed with a coach.
Specially trained experts can help you to find new options for action.
Some companies support their executives by offering such coaching internally or by paying for external coaching.
You should definitely do some research here when the promotion is due.
Seeking support doesn't have to signal insecurity or ignorance.
Instead, it shows a willingness to learn and the will to do it well and properly.
Conclusion
I've been the managing director for ten years now and take many situations lighter and therefore more confidently than before.
Older people have seen and experienced more.
This results in a certain serenity that others also feel.
A young executive cannot replace this experience, but it can compensate for it.
Because you can learn to lead.
It is important to know your weaknesses and get help to work on them.
There are many different leadership styles and not everyone fits every team or every leader.
The easiest way to find the one that suits you is in dialogue with others.
Therefore, the most important thing for a manager is good and open communication - no matter how old they are.
