What to Do When You are Suddenly the Boss

You have excelled on the job and during Leadership Training Programs used to develop bench strength.  You have sought a promotion for a long time. And you just got promoted.  What a great feeling of accomplishment.

But now that you have become THE leader, you feel uncomfortable being in charge of teammates who once were your peers. All of a sudden, you wear the boss’ hat. How can you establish your authority with creating resentment?

One way is to start slowly. Do not rock the boat too much with your early decisions. Make changes a bit at a time so, in your enthusiasm to make a difference, you don’t upset the overall team balance until you get an accurate and fair assessment of the current situation from your new perspective.

Next, establish important connections in your new role…in several directions. Meet with each member of your team to find out how you can support their success. They will appreciate your encouragement and recognize that you are now in charge. Meet with your team members, yes, but don’t neglect others in your sphere. Connect with your new higher level peers as well as with your new boss.

Once these steps are accomplished, accept all the congratulations that come your way and focus on the results that matter most to your organization.