Emotion of promotion
CarolAnn Casey MD, CA Consulting, says after a promotion your behaviour will have to come across as dignified, confident and fair
Thursday August 28 2008
If you are lucky enough to enjoy your job and get on well with your colleagues, you will know how much more pleasant the day-to-day routine can be.
But what happens when you suddenly find yourself promoted, thrust from being ‘one of the gang’ to being in charge of some of your work buddies?
A promotion is of course good news, representing a step up in terms of remuneration and professional standing, and confirming you are well thought of in your place of work.
However, it can also mean your demeanour at work may have to change, and the old free-flowing banter with colleagues is likely to take a hit. If you are fortunate, all will go smoothly.
You must be prepared for the possibility that you may have to be critical of your friends’ work, or even let them go, should the need arise. You may also meet with resentment that you got the promotion ahead of others. And even if you don’t come across these problems, at the very least your work pals will be more careful about what they say to you and the conversations they include you in.
Carol Ann Casey, managing director of CA Consulting, says the best approach is to be “confident and dignified” and not to talk too much about the fact that you have been promoted.
“Don’t change your behaviour and be as natural as possible. Have one-to-one sessions with the people now reporting to you to show them you care and that there are common work goals to which each of them is integral.”
She says to be extremely wary of showing favouritism towards those you were friends with before your promotion.
“Overtly favouring one person above another for no reason, ie for who they are as opposed to their skills or expertise, can be damaging for a new manager. The last thing you want is to have a claim for unfair treatment held against you. Treat all of your staff with mutual respect and fairness.”
That is not to say the day you take up your new role you should cut off all of your former friendships without so much as a backward glance.
“People are going to be friendly with the people they work with and employers cannot change this. However, I always advise decorum and an awareness that one day you may have to terminate that person’s employment because of incompetence or some other reason,” says Casey.
“Therefore, if you are out socially or at lunch, do not divulge too much personal information. Always be dignified and never, ever get drunk. Your aim is to laugh with your staff rather than have them laugh at you.”
And however you approach your new role, do not discuss it, or other colleagues, with anyone at work, not even those you were closest to before your promotion, she adds.
“Generally, most people have agendas at work, so be careful about what you say and to whom, as your alleged friends at work may not be your real friends when it comes to their promotion v your promotion, for example.
“Stay focused on being successful in your role; that means delivering good results, having pleasant interpersonal skills and being a fair team player.”
© Whitespace Ltd 2008
- Eithne Dunne
