Leading a team of your former peers requires fewer yeses—and a lot more no’s—than before. A friend who was recently promoted put it perfectly:
“I went from we and us to them and they overnight.”
Yes, a promotion may bring recognition, status, and compensation—but it also brings a different kind of responsibility. As Spider-Man reminds us, “With great power comes great responsibility.” That responsibility often shows up in unexpected ways: how we socialize, who we confide in, what we promise, how freely we offer opinions, and the kind of advice we give.
Once promoted, we are peers no more. And while expectations from those who promoted us are high, they are often exceeded by the expectations of those we now lead.
What do they want?
What do they need?
Who do you need to be for them?
Do you know someone who’s made this transition well? What did they do differently when leading their former peers? Share your experiences—let’s talk about it below.