Getting a promotion and moving into a managerial role is a sign you’re well on the way to career success. But along with that new title and increased income comes additional responsibilities, and some growing pains are to be expected. One of the biggest adjustments will likely be the shifts in relationships as former co-workers become employees and former superiors become peers.
It can be especially tricky if you’ve formed a close friendship with a co-worker who will now be reporting to you. As a Harvard Business Review article highlighted, “Once you are promoted into a leadership position, you will inevitably be required to make tough decisions. This presents a real challenge if you are a new manager transitioning from the role of “work-friend” to the role of “boss.”
This doesn’t mean you have to entirely give up your friends, though. You just need to make a few changes to ensure you’re setting the right boundaries and being the best boss you can be.
First, you need to spend some time considering how you’re going to fairly oversee and evaluate all your employees. Treating your subordinates equitably, encouraging their growth, managing their weaknesses, and not playing favorites are all vital parts of being a good manager. Two things that will help are making an effort to get to know each of your new employees and implementing a system for regular, impartial evaluations.
Next, you have to set your boundaries. Every situation is different—there’s no one-size-first-all answer. “A recent survey revealed that 68% of Americans have their boss’s personal phone number,” reported Forbes. “Not only that, but 60% had met their boss’s significant other, 24% had visited their boss’s home, and 38% had asked their boss for advice on personal matters … When it comes to social media connections, 32% of these workers confirmed they are friends with their boss on Facebook …” Your boundaries will depend on your friend, you, your work environment, and company HR policies. But you’ll want to thoughtfully consider your interactions on social media, in the workplace, during lunch breaks or company events, and outside of work hours.
Now you need to have a candid discussion with your friend. If they’re truly a good friend, they are going to be excited for you and want to see you succeed in your new role as manager. Your friend-turned-employee will already know that the dynamics have shifted, so go ahead and talk about your plan and boundaries. If you have this conversation on the front-end of the change, there is much less chance of hurt feelings and damage to the friendship later on.
Finally, branch out in your friendships in the workplace. People who were once above you may now be on equal footing, thus making new friendships possible. Find another manager to be your confidante when you need encouragement, input, or just someone to listen. This is also a good time to find a mentor if you don’t already have one. You’ll want someone who has experience managing employees and exhibits leadership qualities you admire. A mentor can be a great resource as you learn to be a boss and navigate tough situations. Just because you’re now a boss, it doesn’t mean you have to leave your workplace friendships behind. In fact, your promotion can actually open the doors to forming even more friendships. You simply need to be fair, wise, and honest with your friends that now report to you, while also being open to building relationships with your new peers.
Last Updated on October 4, 2023
