'If you're good enough. you're old

'If you're good enough. you're old enough,' a team manager once said when giving Michael Owen, a world-class goal-scorer his first international game at the age of 18. Is the same true in business?
Young executives come back from business school armed with big ideas. But these may or may not win support from colleagues.
So what are the practical steps that young managers need to take in order to be welcomed?
'The biggest challenge is a basic lack of experience,' says Steve Newhall. a management consultant. 'This will affect how other people see you. You need to build credibility with your key stakeholders on a one-to-one basis to order to show that you are up to the job. You have got to have confidence in your ability to do the job. But remember that the people around you may not share that opinion.'
Young managers also need to recognise their own weaknesses - and then do something about them. 'You will need a good mentor straight away,' says Mr Newhall, 'someone who has plenty of experience and who gives you support and plenty of good advice.'
Some advice:
- Act your age. Do not try to look like an older person or like a statesman.
- Dress your age, too,
- Avoid favouritism and cliques. Leaders win respect by treating people the same.
- Build coalitions right away. Show colleagues you are aware of your limited experience. And show that you are interested in getting advice, too.
- Keep a cool head, even when you are under a lot of pressure. Some colleagues will expect you to crack. Do not give them the satisfaction.
-Show respect to older colleagues. They may be on a slower (or different) career path just because that is where they want to be. They have seen many young ambitious people come and go. Draw on their experience.
- Find the right balance between being enthusiastic and being over-confident. You have been selected for your youth and energy - draw on it. But don't overdo it.
- Under-promise and over-deliver. That motivating speech on your first day may sound pretty stupid if the market turns against you.