6 tips to transition from employee to leader

One of the natural progression paths is to start at the bottom and work your way up. That is, get hired at a job, likely an entry level position if you are new to the field or freshly out of college, work hard, get a promotion, work hard, get a promotion, work hard… You get it. How do you handle the process and challenges of promoting to the point that you become a team or group supervisor or leader? Yesterday you were their peer and now you are in charge.
 
Here are a few tips.

1. Remember that you are still a part of the team, you just have a new roll – their leader. You still know their birthdays, kid’s names, favorite foods, and so on (at least you should know these things). Don’t forget them.
2. You are now their leader. While you are still part of the team, you need to step up to the challenges you will face and set the tone. Hopefully, your team will know who you are, what you are about, and what to expect from you. If not, then let them know. Make sure you recognize you are still part of the team, but you have different responsibilities.
3. Set the example. Hopefully, you were already doing so and that is why are now in your new position. The phrase, “actions speak louder than words” holds true. But, remember that people are watching and listening. Be careful of what you say, as it will be remembered.
4. Delegate. Delegation is one of the greatest tools a leader can use. This requires training, education, and trust in those you delegate to. This allows others to contribute to the team, offer their expertise, and learn in the process. Delegation also frees up some of your time to lead the whole team and focus less on a single task.
5. Hold others accountable. This will likely be a challenge right away. You give a task and suspense, it is not met, what do you do? Hold them to it. Be firm, swift, but fair. They will not like it, but they will learn to respect you for it.
6. Hold yourself accountable. Just as you expect others to accomplish their tasks, your new team expects the same from you. If you say you will do it, then do it. This applies to everything you do: counseling others, meeting someone on time, providing training opportunities.

 
What tips do you have for a new leader, leading a team where they were once a peer?
 
Next week I will elaborate on the process of transitioning from small group leader where you have a few team members, to large group leader where you will have subordinate leaders. How to handle the transition to leading leaders?
 
Until then.
Jared