We Have A Recently Promoted Manager Who Is Having Trouble Balancing Personal Friendships With His Subordinates. What Tips Can I Give Him?

Taking on a new management role can be demanding; it brings new responsibilities, additional workload and more. It can be even more challenging when an employee has been promoted into the role of manager and is now responsible for supervising former co-workers. In order to succeed, these managers will need to find a way to transition a peer relationship into a successful manager-employee relationship.

Here are some tips you can provide to your new manager to assist him or her in making a successful transition:

• Separate the personal relationship from the professional one. You can remain friendly with former co-workers but should make it clear that personal relationship cannot and will not influence your decisions and actions at work. Creating this separation may involve limiting or eliminating after-work socializing to avoid potential conflicts. This doesn't mean a manager and his or her employees can't be social or have lunch together, but if they do, conversations should be limited to general topics such as hobbies and interests.
• Let former peers know that you take your new responsibilities seriously. Some new managers will use jokes or humor to ease into difficult conversations with their employees, but doing so can undermine the seriousness of a counseling session or disciplinary action. Being gentle but firm can go a long way in helping employees improve and can help the manager gain and maintain employees' respect.
• Treat all employees equally. Playing favorites can create tension and interfere with a manager's ability to effectively lead the team. It could also invite claims of discrimination in some circumstances. Managers should consistently provide both positive feedback and suggestions for improvement to all of their subordinates. Doing so can promote successful employee development while ensuring fair treatment.
• Ask for help. Many managers have, at some point in their careers, found themselves in the position of managing former co-workers and peers. Talking with others in leadership roles can be a great source of guidance when making this transition.

By separating the personal relationship from the professional one and managing former peers with consistency, fairness and respect, a new manager can successfully make the transition from co-worker to manager.