Managing Your Friends – What Happens When You Are Promoted Over Your Peers?

It’s not unusual to develop friendships at work. It’s also not unusual for one person from a team to be given a promotion. What happens when these two things clash and you find yourself managing your friends? What happens when you’re promoted over your peers and how will this affect your relationships and your job? Here are some things to consider.

Exit the Gossip Mill

The number one thing you need to do when you’ve been promoted over your peers in the office is to immediately put a stop to any participation you had in the office gossip mill. You can no longer stand around the water cooler and discuss other people in an inappropriate way. You need to have the trust of everyone in your department and you can’t do that if you’re still engaging in this behavior.

Step Away from Social Engagements

You also need to stop attending social engagements with other people in your department. Again, this can be seen as playing favorites by anyone who is not a part of that social group. You need to establish yourself as a manager and leader. However, you can create other types of activities that promote team building based on the policies of your company.

Set the Tone and Expectations

You can’t expect the people you worked with before to automatically give you complete authority and respect. You have to earn it. And to earn it, you are the one who can set the tone and the expectations in the office. Talk to your team about your new role, how it will affect their experience, and your expectations from them on the job.

Focus on the Change

Now is the time to focus on you, what you have to offer, and how you can contribute to the success of your department and company as a whole. Don’t micromanage your team, find a way to lead that will inspire and engage them. Focus on the change and make it smooth and exciting for everyone who is participating.

Could you use some help in your new department?

Nextaff Temp Agency in Topeka can help today.

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Meet Shane...

Shane’s journey with Nextaff began in 2019, when he established a successful franchise in the Kansas City metro area. His experience as a Nextaff franchise owner provides prospective buyers with a completely transparent view of the Nextaff Franchise Opportunity. Prior to his time at Nextaff, Shane led large sales teams in the Financial Services and Medical Device industries, further developing his expertise in leadership and business management.

Do you play sports?

Basketball! I was fortunate enough to play college basketball all 4 years and in 2013 we won the NCAA DII National Championship.

What do you love most about your current role?

Getting to know prospective franchise buyers. I love hearing about their goals and dreams they want to achieve through entrepreneurship.

What is your favorite color?

Orange! Yes, it is one of Nextaff’s main colors but it was my favorite before coming to Nextaff. In the franchising world, I’m known as “Orange pants guy”.

Meet Cary...

When it comes to operating a staffing firm, Cary has worn every hat.  From recruiting, to sales, to management, to ownership, he has been involved in every aspect of running a successful staffing business.  He has successfully led three separate companies to the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 lists, which puts him in an elite class of staffing entrepreneurship.  Combining that experience with a strong passion for entrepreneurs makes Cary an ideal leader for driving the Nextaff vision. 

Describe yourself in three words.

Loyal, Driven, Creative

Is there a mantra or affirmation you live by?

Do what you said you were going to do.

Do you have a celebrity doppelganger?

Back in the day, it was John Cusak.  “I want my two dollars!”