The Cost of Becoming a New Boss

You’ve worked hard over the years. You’ve always been on time, diligent with your work and supportive of your colleagues—and management has taken notice. They’ve tapped you for a promotion, and you couldn’t be happier. You’ll being given more money, more responsibility and yes, more problems you never anticipated, especially with your former peers at work—the same people who recently threw you a party complete with a "Congratulations New Boss!’ ice cream cake.

This article addresses how promotions change the workplace culture, "The transition from buddy to boss is never easy, because it represents a significant power shift. You and your friend were accustomed to relating as equals, but now you're responsible for reviewing her performance. This adjustment can be extremely unsettling, so the best approach is to address it head-on. Start by acknowledging the change, then set the stage for a new way of relating."

Most office professionals are smart and mature enough to keep things in perspective and not become jealous or petty when others around them succeed at the workplace. Indeed, most are happy to see their friends advance their careers. However, office professionals are human and subject to poisonous emotions when someone on their level is promoted up the hierarchy, and this can be the first test to any new manager’s responsibilities.

Ensuring a smooth transition to power is tricky but essential, so the newly promoted must be open about how they inform others of the news and deliberate about how the begin delegating their new authority. As usual, being candid and transparent about what is happening is the best policy. Call a meeting. Tell the news. Express your excitement and commitment to making everyone around you as happy and successful as possible. It’s what good bosses do.

Image courtesy of The Muuj.