Promoted from the Rank and File
I’m periodically asked to respond to a question posed by readers of the Career Builder section of the Arizona Republic newspaper, in a column known as “Ask The Experts.” Following is a recent Q&A from that column.
Question:
I recently was promoted out of the rank and file to a supervisory position. How can I gain respect and work well with my former co-workers who now report to me?
Answer:
Your first order of business will be to define what success is in your new role. From that you can set clear goals for you and your team and then lead them, not “boss” them, to fulfilling your mission.
Do this by holding a meeting and sharing your vision of success, and solicit ideas from the group on how best to get where you want to go. I also recommend that you meet with each team member individually, and ask them what you can do to help them succeed, and then do it. And most importantly, don’t forget about those things you complained about when you were peers.
Perhaps there are things that you can change that will give you instant credibility. You may not be able to do everything that they ask of you, but if they know that you care, they will be more loyal, committed and productive.
