Going From Buddy to Boss

Summary

• When someone is promoted, it's because they have demonstrated specific accomplishments, not because they are perfect.
• The new role of a promoted person includes giving feedback, but that doesn't mean they know everything about your potential.
• Embrace the feedback as a valuable part of your relationship with your new boss.
• To transition smoothly from being a buddy to a boss, be upfront about the change and communicate it clearly.
• Set systems in place that make giving and receiving feedback a regular and expected process.
• One effective method is to schedule a time each week, like every Friday, to give each team member one piece of feedback.
• Normalizing feedback helps people see it as a positive action rather than something negative.
• Having a set schedule for feedback ensures it is consistently given and received, rather than sporadically or infrequently.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing the following steps to smoothly transition into a new leadership role without losing the positive rapport you have with your team:

Embrace Feedback

Recognize that your new role involves giving feedback. Understand that this doesn’t mean you know everything about everyone’s potential. Embrace this feedback as a regular part of your new dynamic with your team members.

Communicate Clearly

Be upfront with your team about the transition from being a buddy to a boss. Openly communicate that you will be providing regular feedback, and that this is a part of helping everyone grow.

Set Up a Feedback System

Create a system to make feedback a consistent practice. Schedule a specific time each week, such as every Friday, to give each team member one piece of feedback. This normalizes feedback and helps it to be seen as a positive aspect of your relationship, rather than something negative.

Keep It Positive and Constructive

When giving feedback, keep it constructive and positive. This helps your team associate feedback with growth and improvement rather than criticism.

Be Consistent

Stick to the schedule you set for feedback. Consistency ensures feedback is given and received regularly, rather than sporadically, making it a part of your team’s culture.

By taking these steps, you’ll foster a positive, growth-oriented environment where feedback is a tool for improvement and everyone feels supported in their roles. This approach is both low-cost and high-value, making it easy to implement and beneficial for long-term success.