The "Buddy" to "Boss" Transition
Put yourself in your employee’s shoes. One day you are working alongside your buddies and the next, you are their boss. What does this transition look like? How can you prepare for the leadership role?
Role Changes Happen Often
Making the transition from “Buddy to Boss” is not easy. But not to worry – it happens more than we think! Interestingly enough, a 2013 Source of Hire Report says that 42% of job openings were filled by internal movement and promotion. That means that the largest source of hire is our own employees! Is your workforce ready for the inevitable authority shift?
Change Is Not Easy
Moving into a management position and learning how to effectively lead can be a challenge. Managers need help navigating the dynamics of this role change. A Progressive Business Publication study shows that 52% of companies only trained their managers once a year or less. A direct relationship between training and leadership success is shown in a Conference Board Report which found that only one third of managers were seen as strong leaders. Do not let your leaders fit into the other two thirds – be ready when internal promotion happens in your organization!
Be Ready for the Change
You can prepare for the transition by providing training, support and guidance to newly promoted leaders. Remember, your employees are good at what they did before – that is why they got promoted. They may not know how to lead or what the new expectations are, so consider these tips for the new boss:
- Meet with your team – Talk about the change and give them a chance to ask any questions.
- Set boundaries – Relationships make it messy. Discuss what the new association looks like.
- Do not play favorites – Make sure that everyone is treated with the same respect and concern.
- Be firm when necessary – If your authority is tested and limits are pushed, take charge.
- Seek guidance – Learn from those who have gone before you. You are not the first.
Conclusion
Promotion can mean moving into a new and sometimes challenging space. Make sure your managers are up for the task. It is up to you to provide the tools to make the transition from “Buddy to Boss” a success!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://meainfo.org/app/uploads/2014/04/carley-hawkins.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Carley Hawkins is a business student at Eastern University, as well as Project Assistant at the MidAtlantic Employers’ Association.[/author_info] [/author]