Today's constantly changing business environment makes it impossible to lead a company completely alone. Keeping a company on track during times of change requires all employees -- young and old -- to develop leadership skills. If you have the drive and good fortune early in your career to turn your leadership skills into a management position, you will probably be working with people older than you. According to recent statistics from MaturityWorks, more than 16 million Americans 55 or older are working or seeking work. Standing out as a leader amongst highly experienced elders around you can be challenging.

Current Trends

Here are some current trends that are important for understanding the changing work environment:

• A 1998 survey from Starch Worldwide, Inc., done for the AARP, found that eight out of 10 baby boomers intend to continue working in retirement. "These people are likely to work at least 20 hours a week," says Charles F. Longino Jr., professor of gerontology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. "They'll be returning for second careers."



• Additionally, many technically-savvy younger workers are moving into well-paid, senior positions earlier in their careers. Nearly 12 percent of younger workers (ages 20 to 34) are already managers, according to the US Department of Labor.



• Work environments have changed to include:
• Work teams from all age groups and job groups
• Increased reliance on all employees to be leaders
• Diversity initiatives
• Customer orientation

Some companies are hiring more for attitude and less for experience. The current belief is that if people have the right attitudes, they can be taught the skills necessary to do the job effectively. This business environment, where people of all ages are assuming leadership positions, isn't going away.

How Can Younger Workers Demonstrate Leadership?

To show your leadership savvy around more experienced workers it is critical to realize that older workers sometimes view younger colleagues through jaded eyes. Many older workers believe that with age comes experience and ability. Don't hold that attitude against them. When baby boomers were in your shoes, they typically had to wait and develop experience before they moved ahead.

You will gain points with elders simply by talking with them. Get to know them and avoid making derogatory remarks about their age group. Ask for advice and listen carefully. Act maturely and respectfully around your elders, even when their attitudes make you crazy.

At the same time, don't be passive with senior workers. Show your assertiveness, and they will respect you. Learn as much as you can and become an expert on your project. When you show your competence, you will gain instant respect, no matter how old you are.

Be Creative

Show your creativity and how it helps the company. Problem solving was not an appreciated skill in the workplace until recently, so many times that creative muscle was never developed in the seasoned workers. Solve a problem creatively, and you will impress everyone.

Above all else, be customer-focused. The bottom line still drives business today and companies know that customer orientation improves the bottom line. No matter what your age, customer-focused employees are good to work with and almost always do well in their careers.

According to Dr. Morris Massey, author of What You Are Is Where You Were When, "If you truly want to be effective in today's world, if you sincerely want to understand other people, it seems absolutely critical that we accept the reality that all these people out there who are different from the way we are, are just as right, correct and normal as us." Good leadership skills will always transcend the generation gap.