And, in the leading role....

Millennial bosses are taking over. But they're a work parent, colleague, and manager rolled into one. Here's how to deal with them

- Kritika Kapoor [e-mail]

Boomers are retiring, Gen X workers too. A new boss has entered the bull pen: The millennial.

This is the kind of leader who wants to rewrite corporate rules: Huddles instead of scheduled meetings, sneakers on Monday, work-life balance, menstrual leaves for women. They're Work Dads, Work Moms, they're the buddy to drink with. Fun, flexible, sooo easygoing. What could go wrong? Plenty. Millennial bosses in middle-management are sandwiched between laidback Gen Z and an older, stuffier generation. They'll swing between chill manager and corporate slave. They can't decide whether they're boss or friend. They hate confrontation. They hate appraisals.

How to deal? Millennial and Gen X experts have some hacks.

Treat them like a boss, not a bestie.