Too young to manage

There was a young manager who was brilliant and creative. His bosses thought he was very good. When he was 35, his company gave him an important new job. But after his promotion he was arrogant. He didn’t listen to anybody. His new job didn’t go well. He wasn’t ready for the position. He had business experience, but he didn’t have people skills.

Companies often make this mistake. They promote ambitious young workers too quickly because they don’t want them to leave the company. Often young managers get too confident. They don’t have enough work experience. They need to do more things that are new to them. It is a good idea for managers to get experience before they are promoted.

It isn’t easy to be a good manager. Young managers are not always bad. And experienced managers are not always good. But young people with bad people skills are very annoying. When an experienced manager does not listen, it is bad. When a young manager does the same thing, it is horrible. What can companies do? It is a good idea to promote people more slowly. Good jobs always come to good people in time.

From the Financial Times

English Language

Pre-Intermediate (2 year)

Card 2

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