14 Going from Peer to Manager

So youve been promoted to manager. Congratulations, this is a great opportunity, and if youre like most people youre simultaneously excited and nervous, I know I was. Weve all experienced bad bosses, and Im sure you want to do a good job, and be someone your employees trust and respect. In fact, that should be your goal. To build a relationship with them based on trust and respect. In this chapter well cover ways you can do that, but first lets talk about how you transition from being a peer to a manager. If youre coming in from the outside, and havent worked alongside your reports it can be easier, because you dont have a previous relationship with them. You come in to a role of authority. While they dont know you, they also dont have any preconceived notions about you. However, youll have more work to do to help them get to know you and trust you. If youve been promoted to supervise your colleagues they do know you, which means they have some beliefs about who you are and how youll manage. T