re: Tips on being a supervisor/manager/leader

Don't: Fall into the "friend zone" managing style. You can't manage friends.

Do: Listen and seek elder's opinions. I started managing at a pretty young age as well (at age 24 I was managing guys with 30+ yrs experience). I can say the #1 characteristic about me that has been most successful is me seeking opinions and advice from elders. It started with me bullshitting and trying to create a sense of worth in employees but I quickly found that was evil and there was a much more valuable use. You are not above any member of a team. Let people specialize and manage their specialties.