One of our newer programmers is 20 years older than me. It took some time for me to beat into him that he had better listen to me as I was mentoring him in his transition from PHP to ASP.NET.

So did you eventually "break him in"?

That is always a problem. I'm sure none of us would be too keen if someone 10-20 years younger was in a postion of authority - but I'd certainly try to earn that person's respect, as opposed to being a pain in the ass.

This may be a shocker, but when this happens with me (someone is a good bit older and has a problem with it), I'm actually very diplomatic and really try to ease the person into the situation - because I know that being 10 years older, "going back to school", and probably unemployed, means a great deal of stress to begin with. I've actually taken a great deal of "stuff" from a few older people because I know in many cases it's the stress talking. But once in a blue moon, someone crosses the line, and I'll have an off-line "come to Jesus" conversation with the person.

Oh, and I think you meant to say, "one of our newer programmers is 20 years older than I".....since I'm older than you, I'm allowed to correct grammar. :)