Do we have to be kind to our elders?

I am 32 and have just been promoted over a 50-something graybeard. We’re light-years apart in terms of skills and ambition. How do I help him understand that he shouldn’t hate me because I snagged the brass ring? Or should I even bother? (If he doesn’t work with me, I can fire his ass.)

You sound like a typical MBA. No, you shouldn’t just fire his ass. It may be hard to believe, but you don’t know everything. Managers who have been around for a long time can provide important reference points as you climb to the top. First, they have institutional memory; they know why things were done the way they were done. They also know where the bodies are buried, and can put company culture in context. While this guy may not have your skills or ambition, he can help you succeed—if you treat him with dignity, civility, and respect. (As a good leader, you should do that anyway.) There is also a selfish reason for playing nice: Old timers can withhold important information from you or purposefully conspire to make you look bad. Unless this guy is completely incompetent, keep him on your side.

Michael Feiner is professor of management at Columbia Business School and author of  The Feiner Points of Leadership. He’s also president of his own consulting firm, advising CEOs on how to build their companies. Have a question you need answered? Email it to:
contact@junglemediagroup.com (subject line: Feiner)

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MBA Jungle, Winter 2008-2009