If you are a team leader, how do you deal with staff members who are older than you?

That's an easy one.. use their wisdom and their advice.  They will have a lot to bring to table.

Treat them professionally and as you would any other member of the team.

Acknowledging that they have experience and also engage them more in decision-making based on their experience level.

Age and wisdom doesn't necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Using two

I respect your age and I respect my work

will prove to you that I deserve my position

I will never let them feel that they are left out because of the age diffrence.

i would treat them like other team members, because as long as delivering tasks are concerned no body should care about Age,Sex etc.

when you are a memebr of a team, you are a member of a team.

• Instead of delivering orders, why don't you pose your challenges and problems to them and let them come up with suggestions on how to solve the problems? Many of these folks have had significant careers and are just working to keep up their intellects and get some extra bucks - they would love a chance to use their brain power! If the ideas come from the workers, you don't have to "get through" to anyone. Even if you have older to deliver from "on high" you can pose these as a problem - "corporate wants us to be sure that the widgets are organized just so on the shelves. How can we be sure we maintain the displays?"

read more about Maslow pyramids needs , then identify his needs , if you can really provide him with his need or give him strong alternative he will be fully under your control , give him the feeling of respect and valued

Here's how you can command respect, temper egos and get the work done:

1. "Don't be the boss. At least, don't appear to be," said a friend recently employed in a managerial position with a few older employees on his team. Remember, old habits die hard. Give them time to get used to you and your leadership style and till then, just focus on the task at hand. 

2. Don't be dismissive, help them learn new skills. Just because they can't tweet or operate the Bloomberg terminal like the back of their hand doesn't mean they don't want to or are incapable of it. 

3. They've survived the business for a reason and have probably come across bottlenecks you haven't, use their experience.

4. Understand differences in lifestyle. If they're excellent employees but have to go home to their family instead of a happy hour, cut them some slack. Try reorganizing social events to be inclusive.

5. Validate them. When making a decision, seek their perspective even if you decide differently. Show them their opinion counts and when you can try and explain why the final decision works best. This isn't a token exercise.

6. Know what motivates them. They may prefer better benefits over small bonuses, or they may want flexible hours. Keep it realistic and try and see where you can match the company's and employees expectations.  

7. Talk to your employees. It's good practice in general to communicate with your team. Constantly brief them on changing expectations and be specific. Don't assume that they will know what you want because they've been around a while.

8. Don't' be intimidated by them. When you make a decision, stand firm, don't keep second-guessing yourself. They will respect you for it.

9. Introduce a mentorship program, whether its the older employee's mentoring younger ones or interns. You can even partner with organizations and school if the employees are willing, not only is their experience being put to good use the company would also build some good karma.

10. If older employees do step out of line, reel them in just like the rest. You don't need to give them a dressing down in front of their colleagues but in that regard, treat them like everyone else on your team.

Team leader respect their experience,older respect your position.

with respect , but I must follow company policy with any employee even if they older than me

Having older team members means having people in your team who are more experienced in performing the required team task. While dealing with them one should be polite enough to give respect at the same time should be demanding enough to get the work done. Their experience can be of great help in smooth completion of assigned task.