The good news is you got the promotion you were looking for. The bad news is now you have to manage your former peers – one of which was passed over for the same job you got. It was the best of times… it was the worst of times. Join the Wily Manager guys this week as they discuss Leading Former Peers.
Monday’s Tip: Establish one on one meetings with all new direct reports. Regularly scheduled, well-structured one on one meetings facilitates communication, and saves managers’ time.
Tuesday’s Tip: Don’t try to control anyone else’s reactions to your new relationship. Even if you’re fine with your new relationship, others may not be. Don’t try to change their mind or control their behavior. Simply get on with what you were hired to do.
Wednesday’s Tip: Don’t play favorites. If you have close friendships with some of your new direct reports, you have to work very hard to ensure those friends do not get any special treatment.
Thursday’s Tip: Avoid gossip and cocktails. It might have been fun before to go out after work for a beer, and beat-up on those senior management types. Your new role as a leader makes this fraught with problems for you.
Friday’s Tip: Deal directly with challenges to authority. It is likely someone will test you to see what they can get away with. You may want to let some things go in order to keep the peace, but any direct challenges to your authority need to dealt with quickly and decisively.