1qtr2006 - Feature Article

Promoted? Now What?

Welcome to 2006! And congratulations - that promotion you got along with your performance review at year-end is now official. So here are some helpful hints on successfully managing the transition from co-worker to boss:

Top 5 DO’S when being promoted to supervise your peers

1. DO treat everyone with the utmost respect – In one way or another you couldn’t have gotten the promotion without them, either because they helped you succeed, or they helped you look good by comparison.
2. DO earn your pay – Now that you’re making the Big Bucks, show your staff that promoting you was a good decision.
3. DO keep your ego in check – No one likes an over-the-top winner, specially when they knew you when.
4. DO fix something – Pick something you all used to grouse about and use your new authority to make it better.
5. DO walk your talk – Take responsibility for your actions (especially your screw-ups) and model how you want your staff act in similar circumstances.

Top 5 DON’TS when being promoted to supervise your peers

1. DON’T be a jerk – You don’t automatically now know everything just because you’re the boss. Similarly, saying, “Do what I say because I’m the boss,” should be avoided at all costs. Instead, explain the underlying rationale for your decisions and discuss and/or debate, as necessary. Allow the strength of your ideas to make the sale, not just the implied threat that your can make someone’s life miserable if they don’t comply.
2. DON’T be a buddy – You’re no longer part of the gang; you’re the boss. Be friendly, but don’t think that nothing will change just because you got promoted; it will.
3. DON’T play favorites – Reward based on merit, not favoritism. Don’t assume you already know how someone will work with you as their boss. Avoid giving real or perceived preferential treatment.
4. DON’T hold a double-standard – Being in charge does not mean you can bend/break the rules for yourself while insisting they be enforced for everyone else.
5. DON’T be a hog – When something goes well, share the credit/spotlight with your staff so that they see that making you look good makes them look even better.

You've done a lot of good work in the past - that's what earned you this promotion. But now, you need to do a lot of GREAT work to help everyone realize that promoting you was a very smart - and totally appropriate - thing for your boss to have done.

Show 'em what you can do.