Lessons From Being a Team Member to Leading the Team

Few things are more rewarding in one’s career than earning a sought-after promotion in the workplace. 

But what happens after you land the promotion, especially if it means you’ll now be leading colleagues who you once worked alongside with as peers? 

Navigating the shift from peer to manager took me on a surprising journey of introspection and professional growth. Here are several key lessons I learned throughout my experience: 

Shift your mindset.

As a contributing team member, your mindset is on your personal role and responsibilities. But as a leader, your mindset must shift to the success of each individual on your team and your collective success. 

• Think big picture. Broaden your perspective from the task at hand to a full comprehensive view. 
• Delegate effectively and fairly. 
• Focus on team goals rather than personal achievements.

Redefine relationships. 

The most notable obstacle I faced after being promoted was learning to redefine my relationships with my colleagues. One day, we were equals (and great friends), and the next, I was their boss. Setting boundaries while maintaining healthy relationships is crucial to the team’s success.   

• Be transparent about your new role and responsibilities. 
• Create an open line of communication to address concerns your team might have about the transition.
• Be clear that you respect your colleagues. 
• Understand that your new role comes with a different level of responsibility. 

Get in tune with emotional intelligence. 

Read any leadership book and you’ll find a chapter on the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Emotional intelligence is vital to management success because it refers to how well you understand your team.

There may be mixed feelings toward you in your new role. It’s important to be aware of how individuals are feeling. 

• Make your team feel heard and valued through active listening. 
• Manage your own stress response, especially in challenging situations.
• Provide thoughtful feedback and address concerns with tact. 
• Celebrate wins. 

Prioritize professional development.

While earning your new leadership role is a huge accomplishment, the worst thing you can do is become complacent. 

In contrast, one of the best and most beneficial steps you can take is to prioritize your own personal growth to effectively lead your team. 

• Seek advice from experienced leaders within your organization. Ask questions and take note of how they manage their teams. 
• Join a professional organization within your field and network with other professionals. 
• Ask for feedback and regularly reflect on your performance to seek ways to improve.
• Invest in leadership training or resources to enhance your skills.
• Stay humble and always be kind. Mistakes happen; be willing to learn from them. 

You’ve worked hard to move into your new role, but the biggest challenge is learning to be successful in it. While there are many ways to sharpen your tactical skills, much of being a strong leader comes down to self-awareness, staying in tune with your team and being open to growth. 

With these insights in mind, you will be well-equipped to transition from peer to manager.