[A060] You're the Person Now: Manage Your Peers Like a Boss

Congrats! You’ve got a promotion. Now you’re the boss!

It’s exciting to know that your hard work has been noticed and that you are being rewarded with new responsibilities.

The hard part, though, happens when you have to manage your peers.

Now you need to be in charge and hold your co-workers responsible. It’s not always easy. Plus, on top of all that, you’re in a place where you’ve got a learning curve. Managing is a different animal altogether, even without the added stress that comes when you manage your peers.

Here’s what you need to know about being a boss for the first time.

Concepts

• Reasons that so many of us suck as first time managers.
• It's harder to be "one of the guys" when you manage your peers.
• Why it's easier to be a boss when you're in a new place, where you don't know as many people.
• How scary it can be. You don't want to make mistakes.
• Is overconfidence a problem?
• Maybe underconfidence is an issue?
• Tips to help you better manage your peers.
• An overview of leadership qualities that can help you move to the next level.
• How to build trust with others.
• Information on good listening techniques.

This week's "do nows" focus on figuring out what made your worst managers so bad. Look at what you hated, and reflect on your own shortcomings. Try to avoid being what you hate.

We also have a great listener question about what to do if you don’t feel like you’re ready to be a boss and manage your peers.

Resources