Promotion Within: 5 Lessons Learned

I am not unlike most ambitious professionals who “grew up” in small business. Through my own merit, I have received multiple promotions at more than one organization, moving from individual contributor to decision maker. Perhaps a bit more uniquely, I have had the opportunity to “turn the tables” and manage an ex-manager. It was a humbling test of character when that manager sat me down (as her new manager) to tell me that she did not feel that I was qualified to manage her.

At the ripe age of 26, no one prepared me for this moment. I didn't hesitate, and warmly leaned forward, told her that I understood her position, and then went on to explain the various things that I intended to do to help develop her under-valued and (wrongly) irrelevant department. I invited her to be a part of the organization’s success and told her that despite her position, I am willing to teach her. I moved backward in my chair and said, “Is there anything else you wanted to discuss this morning?” She smiled and said, “You’re really bright and I still think you should just go be a writer.”

When I got back to my desk I realized I was trembling and I felt my eyes swell up. She was being sincere. As her best performer, and the person who recommended me for promotion years back (to be her peer), she knew that I was entirely capable of running her department. What she didn’t exactly say, that I knew she meant, was that I was an under-experienced manager and did not yet have the skills to effectively manage her. She was not wrong. I did not, at that time, possess those skills. And, when I got up and left, what she really meant to say was, “Don’t waste your time learning those skills, instead go write books.”

Over the many years that followed I became a good manager. I struggled and made many mistakes, and at times I dreamed about sitting in a cabin writing books, but learning the skills to be a good manager to her also taught me to be a better contributor, friend, mother, and peer. Small business gave me the opportunity to try something new and my CEO took a chance on me that, in the end, brightened my life.

Below are the top 5 lessons that I believe contributed to my successful on-the-job (OTJ) training:

1. Be confident. You are only in this position because you believe you’re capable and at least one other person agrees. There are exactly zero managers that have been promoted through the ranks that already possess 100% of the skills necessary to be successful on day 1. You took the promotion because you decided you were capable. Remember that and remain confident.
2. You have a competitive advantage. Figure it out. There is something special about you that led to your promotion. It is important to know what it is. Capitalize on that advantage, brand it, and do not lose sight of it.
3. Fake it until you make it. Skills can be obtained by role-playing and testing. You do not learn to ride a bike solely by reading books on the subject, interviewing experts, and watching YouTube videos. Ultimately, no matter how much preparation and investigative work you do, you still need to try, fail, and try again. Certainly research helps (don't discount the value of seeking help), but you always need to try.
4. Embrace feedback, even non-verbal, no matter how badly it stings. The most obvious and important thing is to be reflective. Because you have a lot to learn, and your pre-disposition is to mimic past leaders, it is extremely important for you to remain empathetic to your peers, team, and leaders. Their perception of you interferes with how well they perform for you. You will need to embrace and become familiar with a management style that is your own. Something that works for your manager, might not work as well for you.
5. Be above reproach. If it feels wrong, it’s likely wrong. Navigating the inter-office relationships you had before promotion is difficult for anyone. You need to politely and respectfully remove yourself from any situation that will make professional decisions inappropriately emotional. Be transparent in your quest to find balance in these relationships. Your relationships will be better for it.

I learned these 5 lessons rather quickly and, despite some stumbling, have fantastic examples of how these lessons made me successful. I am forever confident, I capitalize on my competitive advantage, I am not afraid to try anything, I thrive on feedback, and I remain friends with many of my past direct reports.

There are countless difficult dealings for new managers. Navigating those obstacles often takes different skills from a similar tool belt. But, at the age of 26, I did not believe that any conversation would be as difficult as that first one. Luckily, I knew right away that my competitive advantage was my ability to learn and adapt quickly. And I remain a better contributor and manager because of it.