Chapter 11.

Managing YourParents—or Grandparents:You’re in Good Company

A Case Study:The Ninja Assassin and the Wingman

WHEN CARTER DURYEA, the 26-year-old rising star in the film In Good Company, gets promoted to advertising sales manager at a sports magazine, his exuberant reaction is, “I’m going to kick butt and take no prisoners … I’m going to be a ninja assassin!”

Underneath this bravado, however, is a scared Gen Yer who has no idea what he’s doing. Coming face to face with 51-year-old Dan Freeman, the former manager who is older than his father, Carter keeps up his ninja façade. He admits he has no experience but is a fast learner, and then arrogantly informs Dan that he has “the potential to be an awesome wingman.” When Dan asks, “What’s ...

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