“Three weeks ago I was promoted to team lead at 27. Most of my team members are between 33 and 48, with significantly more industry experience than me. The promotion came from above — I didn't campaign for it — which makes it feel even more fragile.

I can tell some of them are skeptical. One senior member responds to my suggestions with polite but pointed pushback. Another is outwardly warm but routes decisions around me to my former manager.

I genuinely believe I have something to offer — I see patterns they miss, I think cross-functionally, and I care deeply about the team's wellbeing. But I don't want to perform authority. I want to earn genuine respect. And I'm terrified of getting it wrong in a way that damages relationships I'll need for years.

How do you earn trust when you're younger than the people you're leading?”