They say that your coworkers become your best friends, you see them every day and they really get to know you, but what happens when you move up and they now report to you?
I have always been an introverted person, keeping my head down and doing my work and getting the job done. I don’t want to be on anyone’s bad side, and I don’t want to feel as though someone is not okay with my presence in their life. Yet recently I was promoted at my job and it’s definitely a challenge for me to step up and be a leader.
I think the most difficult part in moving up in management, is the fact that you are no longer on the same level as your once good coworker, you are now their boss. It is challenging to establish a line between work and friendship when that happens. On top of all the responsibilities of your new title, there are going to be things that will have to be let go.
It used to be that you and your friend at work goofed around while on the job, joking on the boss but now being the boss, the same things just don’t get to talked about anymore.
As this transition is occurring, there are a few tips I tell myself which could help anyone else going from buddy to boss can learn from;
Communicate. One of the most important advice is to communicate with your coworkers, letting them know that there is now a line where professionalism is now a responsibility on your part. There can still be fun, but the work needs to get done. It’s okay to talk to your coworkers and re-introduce yourself and your expectations. Doing this could help enable a game plan for you and your team that could help you guys work alongside.
Prepare. This is something I have to remind myself every day. Be prepared to notice envy and jealousy for your new role. Some may not be on board and friendships that were once there, may disappear. There will always be someone that is not a big fan of the management team, so any previous relationships you once had, may be gone. I recently noticed that a coworker of mine lacks respect for my authority in my new role, as once a good friend, being the boss is not something that they can adapt to.
Fair. Be fair with everyone on your team, they now respond to you. There should not be favoritism and lenient to your friends at work because you have moved up and have more privileges. It’s time to be equal in the workplace, this is serious. When it comes to the job, the relationships just have to maintain professional.
It’s a wonderful thing when you are granted an opportunity to move up in your workplace. It may be scary and challenging for your own personal life. More responsibilities in your leadership skills and social skills, but it’s a character building experience that happens. I’m still working on gaining my authority hat among my coworkers, especially being someone who had never led much in teams, but this is a new experience. It has been a struggle, yet I'm grateful for being offered a position to move up, it allows me to grow as an individual in society, it’s all apart of life.
