Leading people who were your peers

On Friday you were one of them. On Monday you have a say in their pay. Most new managers handle this by acting as though nothing has changed and hoping the awkwardness fades. It does not. Your team is quietly asking two questions: will you play favourites, and can they still be honest with you?

This lesson is for anyone promoted from inside their own team. It covers why pretending nothing happened is what actually breaks trust, how to name the change out loud without making it a speech, and what to do about the friendship you had with one person in particular. You get wording for the conversation, and the mistake that makes the whole team decide you have favourites.

Part of the Getting started track. About two minutes to read, with a seven-day practice plan and a recall check a week later.