Feeling Overlooked as a Young HR Manager: How Can I Prove My Worth to Older Colleagues?

Hi friends,

I am facing a worst situation before me. I am posted as HR Manager at a Maruti Authorized dealership. Although my designation is of HR Manager here, but I am just 22 now. In my dealership, every staff person including DSE's, GM, Works Manager, and CEO's are all elder than me. I am younger than everyone here, and no one is of my age. It creates a humiliating situation for me, and I cannot perform as required because of this reason. No one values my designation; they only think that I am much younger than all of them. They don't need to accept my sayings and can do as they want.

I got frustrated because of this silly matter. What should I do to prove to them that age doesn't matter in corporates, the only thing that matters is designation? How can I do this? Please friends, help me to overcome this situation. Seriously, I need your suggestions. Do not ignore my request by just seeing it.

Hi JSharma,

First of all, I congratulate you on your appointment as "HR Manager." Of course, age does matter not only in HR but in everything. Looking at your problem, I can see one thing. People in your company are egoistic (as in everywhere). Don't try to feed that ego. Instead, try to forget that you are an HR Manager. Be simple and let your humility express your maturity at this age (which I guess none of the staff has in your concern).

Always talk to them as if you are asking for their suggestion and show genuine interest in knowing their suggestion. DON'T PRETEND/ACT BEING HUMBLE. Be genuine in your humility, and you will see the result.

Make sure that you don't degrade yourself. There is a thin line between BEING HUMBLE and DEGRADING yourself.

Take care.

All the Best.

~Raghav V

Dear,

Good to know that at the age of 22, you are handling such a job. But it's only you who can prove that age does not matter in today's corporate world; what matters is your knowledge and brain. Don't feel humiliated but feel proud and make them realize that, for them, if it takes ages to reach that designation, you had crossed that hurdle with your knowledge. At times, your decisions, your way of working, handling situations, and dealing with your manpower can only prove that age does not matter.

Good luck and feel proud and confident in yourself. Other members can also suggest some ways, so look for it.

Regards,
Shilpi

Hi
Age is not a criterion to be a leader. If you take great personalities like Alexander, Napoleon, Mukesh Ambani, Bill Gates etc, age was not at all a constraint to them. Young people achieved so much in the recent past. We have seen young professionals of your age heading the operations of big MNCs & Indian companies.
Earning respect depends on how we carry ourselves. Don't worry about your age. Think positively, develop your inter personal skills, win the heart & support of all your elder colleagues.
Wish you all the best.
Thanks & Regards
Kalyan R

Dear J Sharma,

With my limited knowledge, I understand that there is an issue within the organization where you are employed. These dealerships lack a proper concept of HR. They merely appoint someone for the sake of it. It wouldn't surprise me if you were the first or the only HR person there. Changing the attitudes of your colleagues may be challenging since most of the staff are focused on sales or marketing and do not appreciate the value of HR. Despite being given the title of manager, you may not have any executives reporting to you. What opportunities for growth does this offer?

Considering your age, you may also lack significant experience. At this point, I believe you should consider transitioning to a reputable company that offers a more corporate work culture. There, you will have the chance to learn and develop your skills.

It's not solely about age but also about the organization you are currently a part of.

Regards,
Kshama

Dear Kshama,

Thank you very much for your valuable guidance and advice. I totally agree with you. In fact, even in some corporates, they don't recognize the services of HR or any other support staff (of course other than sales/marketing, production, etc.) and they appoint people only for the sake of maintenance. Even the HR managers are forced to act as puppets under the hands of top management. In such companies, what matters is only money and business; they expect everyone, including HR, to listen to the top management no matter what they say, throwing all ethics, welfare of the employees, and "human" policies to the winds. Under these circumstances, some HR managers are only there to save their own skin, and they do not implement or value the "human" side of the valuable workforce (otherwise, they are forced to leave the organization).

Regards,
Gururaj.

Hi friend,

As you rightly pointed out, age doesn't matter for the quality of your deliveries. However, I also wish to remind you that neither does your designation. Before scrutinizing others, take a moment to reflect on yourself and identify any areas for improvement. In this situation, there may not be anything wrong with you; perhaps you have portrayed yourself as an HR Manager, which they might not readily accept due to their perceptions. There is no harm in this.

Moreover, there is no need to feel frustrated about it. It's a natural part of your work. Building trust takes time. They may have had negative experiences with individuals less experienced than themselves. You can initially engage in activities where you do not require their immediate support and gradually integrate with them in a respectful and considerate manner, acknowledging their experience (or even their ego, which is perfectly acceptable).

By taking these steps, you can begin to make a difference. I have faced similar challenges in large corporations where a significant portion of the workforce is over forty-five years old, while the remainder is under twenty-six. This has resulted in considerable costs for the organization to implement workforce changes. To address this, a separate department was established, and numerous HR professionals were dedicated to Employee Relations to tackle these issues.

I trust that you can now recognize the opportunities before you. Seize them.

The future is in your hands.

Regards,

Vijayakumar

This is interesting, especially to me as I have crossed domains into HR.

I see a greater generalization - this applies possibly to all the youngest of people in all functions and in all organizations, and with a fairly regular frequency. The young folks join and, being highly motivated, are often surprised at the attitude of people around them - often they get buried under piles of paradigms that do the rounds. So don't count yourself alone - only possibly being the only one in the function is making things worse. :D

You can start by standing aside and seeing how you could relate to your peers across functions. Being the first, try to sense whether the attitude is towards the individual or function. HR is often looked at from the admin angle, IR, or plain discipline... that perception matters. Perhaps you would do well to appreciate that beyond a point authority becomes redundant (that is what a designation gives you) - look at issues that you could facilitate.

I could also tell you with a fair degree of certainty that joining a large organization and a large function may not meet all your expectations, so you should be certain of exhausting all possibilities of changing the situation before you choose to move.

Wish you all the best.

Warm regards,

Kalyan

Never, age is not a matter… Even in the every job.
Important is way of undertaking of situation, person, old aged managers, their egos, and our mindset.
I am also facing such situation in my life, but it's another way... somebody ignor me to see my age and responsibilities. See, situation will in front of you, just see the situation and learn- think and react- behave how you can get better response from condition...
Excellence not depends on how you are aged.... It's always depending on your potential, ability and will power- you're dreaming- booming...
And, lastly don't think on this matter more, Napoleon were just little smart by age.. Tendulkar very little by age when he came in cricket... Swami Vivekananda was very young in Chicago conference... ultimately age is never matter...
Face the fact and never think on it...
Do your job perfectly, purely and prove that you are the best...
Thanks and regards,
Narotttam Jepal
9925640271

Feeling glad to see your responses, but frankly speaking, all these suggestions only feel good to hear, but they didn't help me solve the problem yet. Every person I came in contact with reacts as you guys do. These are good enough to pamper somebody, but I need some practical working suggestions. Please, friends, don't take me otherwise.

There can be so many reasons for those people to not respect you, and you may feel that they are not respecting you because you are young. If you got the job through a recommendation, they might not respect you. If you lack basic subject matter expertise, they might not respect you. As an HR Manager, you need to have control over many things. If you are not meeting expectations and making silly errors, they won't respect you. They hired an HR Manager, not a Secretary. If you are not behaving like an HR Manager, they will not respect you. Holding a designation is not as important as your work.

So, look within, identify the problem, and try to solve it. If you need my help, you can email me at sanjeev.himachali@gmail.com.

Regards,
Sanjeev

Dear Sharma,

A lot of very good suggestions have been made to you. Please go through the posts and note them. Do realize that a lot depends on your own behavior, the environment (i.e. the type of organization you have joined), and your perspective towards your responsibilities, your way of work, and your ability to work with your seniors.

Try your level best to make a success out of your assignment. Only if nothing works, look for another opening. All the best.

Jeroo

Hi,

Congratulations, first of all, for getting into Human Resources. It's a tough and demanding job, but in the end, it gives you a lot of satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

Regarding your concern, age is not a barrier in the workplace. It all lies in perception. Believe that you know everything in this world and have the confidence that anything and everything you do is the best, and no one could have done it any better. From now on, be assertive in terms of your speech, actions, and most importantly, take pride in being an HR professional. Put this into practice, and you will see the difference in how others perceive you.

Being humble doesn't mean you have low self-esteem. Stand up for yourself when it matters the most.

Cheers!!!

Prashant

Hi Sharma, you are very lucky. Do you know how difficult it is to get a job at Maruti? As a young person, you can learn a lot from them. So, enjoy yourself and make others happy.

To be young and holding a senior position can be really challenging in reality. I can understand what you must be going through. I faced a similar situation in 1972 at my first job at the age of 20 plus. I was promoted and was heading two departments - Exports & Machinery Purchase. I directly reported to the MD, who was mostly out of India.

There was no guidance from anybody, only envy and jealousy. That's when I decided to take control of the situation:
a) I grew a mustache.
b) I befriended the 55-year-old Chief Engineer and played Bridge with him in the Company Club. (For technical guidance on Machinery Purchase, my contact with him was frequent.)
c) I approached everyone with the best of manners and respect for elders.
d) I learned the work in-depth and details.
e) I excelled in written and spoken English, using this talent to my advantage.
f) I tried and eventually learned to use humor for a greater impact.

I never looked back. I hope the above can provide some direction for you.

Regards,
Sunil Chandra

Knowledge, Talent, Observation, Discipline, Punctuality, Creativity, Positive thinking. If you improve the above things in a systematic manner, the leadership qualities will automatically come. However, I agree that age and gigantic personalities provide certain advantages in normal matters, but it doesn't matter in a profession. In your concern, you should try to ask instead of advise and be obedient instead of authoritative.

Regards, Kishore.

Dear Kshama,

You are not paying enough attention to my problem. The main issue is that the HR department was recently introduced in the automotive field, and that's why my superiors do not understand its importance and functioning. I have been working here for 3 months, and since the first day, I have been trying to explain to them, but they just instruct me to do the work as they say. However, I am not comfortable with this type of job at all. Due to this reason, I am very confused about what to do. The major problem I face is that I have signed a one-year company bond, which makes it difficult for me to leave easily.

Kind regards

It is faced by many young officers in the first phase of their professional life. Try to master your work profile and prove yourself through your performance. Remember, what matters is performance, not age or designation.

Hi Mr. Sharma,

First, I congratulate you on becoming a young manager. I think you have to move forward positively and prove yourself because we have to demonstrate that we are able to manage and face all the problems and challenges.

My dear, I also face some problems because of my age, but I will prove myself. So please go ahead, my dear, and do better tomorrow.

Regards,
9deep 8)

Hi Jyothi,

Good Evening. Well, it is not simple in any company. Wherever you go, you have to overcome all the obstacles in your life, whether personal or professional. You are in HR, and HR professionals are meant to solve problems. I think you have to take this as a challenge, and you can excel.

Firstly, remove from your mind that you are in a top position. When you are in a circle, behave as though you are one among them. Make them feel included by communicating, having fun, creating jokes, sharing your past experiences of how you entered this field and the struggles in your life. This will leave an impact on their minds that you are different and have faced many challenges. Therefore, they will not compare you but rather see how unique you are from others. They will benchmark you instead.

I hope this plan might help you. Always do your best and stay positive.

Regards,
Jyothi

Hi friends,

I am facing a challenging situation as I have been appointed as the HR Manager at a Maruti Authorized dealership. Despite my designation as HR Manager, I am only 22 years old. In my dealership, all staff members, including DSEs, GMs, Works Managers, and CEOs, are older than me. I am younger than everyone here, creating a humiliating situation. I find it challenging to perform as required because of this age gap. My designation is not valued, as they only see my age and not my capabilities. They do not respect my opinions and act independently.

I am frustrated by this matter. How can I show them that age is not the determining factor in the corporate world; it is the designation that matters? How can I overcome this situation?

I sincerely need your suggestions. Please do not ignore my request; your help is important to me.

I think it is an issue of experience and not of age. There are many things in life which we learn from experience. If the person has this thought in his mind that "He is too young to be an HR Manager or he has achieved a lot for his age, that will actually stop the learning process." You need to mingle with people, understand their issues and problems, solve those issues and problems, rather than maintaining the distance.

Dear Kshama,

You are taking my problem very seriously. The only issue is the HR department has recently been introduced in the auto field, and that is the reason why my superiors do not understand its importance and how it functions. I have been working here for three months, and from the first day of my joining, I have been trying to make them understand. However, they just asked me to do my work as instructed by them. I am not comfortable with this type of job at all. Due to this reason, I am very confused about what to do or not to do. The major problem I am facing is that I have signed a company bond to stick to this job for one year, making it difficult for me to quit easily.

Hi JSharma,

I can understand your situation. When a small organization plans to set up an HR department, they often forget to seek advice from HR professionals. It is established by someone who lacks knowledge about HR. In your case, a senior person should have been appointed in your organization to set policies and help people adapt to the changes. For someone new to the HR profession, it is extremely challenging to implement these changes as they are also new to the environment.

My suggestion is to leave the organization as soon as possible; you won't be able to learn much here without proper guidance. One needs a senior mentor to provide guidance on what is right and what is not.

Now, the issue lies with the bond. I would like to know if it is just mentioned in the offer letter or if a separate legal document has been signed by you. Please let me know.

I will look into possible solutions for your situation and get back to you.

Regards,
Kshama

Hi JSharma,

You are in a peculiar situation.

In a job, three things matter to be effective - Age, Experience, and Attitude.

You lack two of them as of now - [Nothing to feel bad about - everyone starts this way].

It is very natural that the people in your company will resent your presence.

You can try the following approach:

- Be prepared to learn from the people around you. Just say to everyone that you will learn from them.
- Be courteous to the people around you despite their opposition.
- Don't try to boss over them or teach them things.
- Don't get overawed by the situation. Just do your job as anyone else in your position would do.
- Tackle each person at an individual level. Never see a group of people as a 'Group'. Create bonds with them individually.
- Identify among the lot who are the major influencers/leaders and get them to your side.
- At some point, your personality can overcome all major and minor obstacles. So don't get discouraged by initial problems.

Try all methods for a year. Still, if you don't make any headway, then look for a company where there is an HR hierarchy, and you can gain some different kind of experience.

BEST OF LUCK

Riyaz

Hi,

Congratulations on your success. I must say, you are lucky and deserving. I understand what you must be going through.

I would like to suggest a few things that can make you more efficient:

1. Respect the feelings of your colleagues who are trying to make you feel worse.

2. Try as much as possible to be friendly and seek their advice for any decision to be taken.

3. Give importance to them and make them feel that their inputs are more valuable, wherein the decisions will be taken as a group, and you will not feel like an odd man out.

4. All I can say is treat them like a father figure and don't bother about the designation because the designation can be anything; the level of maturity and the level of handling senior people is important, and I am sure you can do it.

5. Every day you go to the office, greet all your seniors irrespective of whether they respond to you or not. Follow Gandhigiri style; one day, they will respect you for all you do and treat you like a god.

6. Be patient and just do your work. Don't take it personally if someone is trying to pull you down. Be strong and think about what you have to achieve; rest assured, all things will fall into place.

I hope I have helped you a bit.

Regards & all the best!!!!

Sheryl

Dear,

I am trying to understand your feelings, but based on my perspective, you need to communicate with the person who appointed you. Clearly explain the situation and seek guidance or assistance from them because if they have chosen you for the role of HR manager, there must be a specific reason for that decision and for your compensation. Therefore, they should be willing to support you in resolving this issue.

Bharti
bverma2006@yahoo.co.in

Hi JSSharma,

Age does not matter, but experience definitely matters not only in HR but in all fields. Try to get into a place where you can work under somebody who has sufficient experience in the HR field and gain practical knowledge and inputs. Once you have it, you can definitely face any kind of people or situations.

Regards,
Chidanand

Yes, age matters if you are working with employees older than you, and you have to work with them. However, you can tackle the situation by showing maturity and giving respect to such employees. You can also benefit from their experience. Congratulations to you.

J.S. Negi

Hello My Dear,

Age never matters. It is very important how you projected yourself in that organization from Day One! If you are a professional, competent, and confident guy, nothing can stop you from functioning effectively, whether you are 22 or 102. Remember, those who come out as IAS, IPS, IFS, and in many other administrative exams are young lads like you. Imagine their responsibility and the kind of workforce and public they need to face and the pressure under which they function.

At the end of the day, either you are not fit for that position or the company is not fit for you. My advice to you is that you take this job as a challenge and face the odds boldly, and you will learn a lot from it. There is no scarcity of jobs in the job market. Follow good human relation principles and interact with your superiors and colleagues tactfully. Never allow your morale to come down at any cost. Be very positive. Everything will be fine.

God Bless you,

Very Best Wishes,

Muralidhar Mysore

Hi Sharma,

Congratulations to you for being a respectful and responsible HR Manager. It's very impressive to see your maturity at this age. I think your main focus should be on your tasks rather than your age. In fact, age is just a matter for the position you are dealing with. It is a very responsible position, and you have to take care very carefully. Just encourage yourself to become more mature and concentrate on your work.

I hope, by the grace of God, you will be able to create a conducive atmosphere. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

With lots of regards,
Shahjahan

Hi J Sharma,

Can I know one thing from you - how much time do you spend with your superiors and subordinates, and how? This is very important to know.

Ruchika

Hi friend,

Age does not exactly matter. Generally, it is observed that it should be between 24 to 56 or 58, depending on the company.

Regards,
Yogesh A

Hi,

You are lucky to be a HR Manager at the age of 22. It is a great achievement considering the current situation. In many MNCs and abroad jobs, the maximum age limit is set at 45 years. You are fortunate and will have excellent prospects.

ANAND

You are absolutely right, age doesn't matter in the corporate world!

The corporate world takes into consideration only the rules, regulations, and who has the right to order and who has to follow that order. It does not see your age; it counts your experience and your talent. I think you should show your strict personality. "One should not create relations in the corporate world," because relations do not allow someone to be strict about something.

They are all behaving like this because they think that you are not as knowledgeable as they are! So, in the first step, try to learn all the things which they know about and you don't.

Hi Sharma, congrats, buddy! At this age, you've achieved that post. You asked, "Does age matter in HR?" What do you think? I think you have the answer in your question itself. At the age of 22, when you became an HR Manager, you proved that there's no age for HR – that's it. If you ask me, Sharma, I just want to tell you to always think positively and be optimistic. Take everything positively, and then everything will go well with you and other people in the company.