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Career Management

Hi All,

This is my first time posting on the forums, although I have been a reader and podcast listener for over a year.

I am currently an individual contributor with some leadership roles within my team. I do work in Consulting and Project Management so I have some experience managing people, budgets, etc. but do not have any direct reports within my organisation.

I have been offered a role to become a manager, but rather than taking the role of my boss in managing our team, the role is to manage my boss and her peer (both have teams of approx. 7 people). This would be two levels of promotion in one hit. My boss would continue to manage our team, and would also become responsible for some "special projects".

We are a small business (50-100 employees) and things are not always done by the book, but this seems risky to me.

My main concerns are:
a) I could be out of my depth;
b) I would find it difficult to manage my former boss; and
c) I would find it difficult to manage a manager without first acting in her role.

I think I have some opportunity to influence how this plays out, so would appreciate any thoughts as to:
a) whether I should consider taking this offer; and
b) if yes, what should I request to assist with the transition.

Let me know your thoughts/questions.

Thanks.

Anon (sorry, but I don't want my boss to accidentally find this through google).

jrb3's picture
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Submitted by jrb3 on Tuesday April 15th, 2014 7:32 am

Double promotion, as you recognize, is very unusual, especially when it's coming from a role without direct reports.  However, I have seen it done, and folks successfully made the transition.  Don't dismiss it out of hand -- after all, this is the organization recognizing your past success and potential future success.

I suggest having a heart-to-heart talk with the potential new boss.  Ask about your concerns, and what he sees which brings him to want you instead of your boss or his peers in the role.  Ask what success in this role looks like to him.  Ask him what he think you might consider in making the transition.  Ask what changes are expected in taking this new role (evening meetings, travel, review cycles, 24-hour phone access, and such).

Is there a possibility that this is a "set-up for failure", with an eye to moving someone else into the role, or outright eliminating the role and what's under it?  This needs a broader eye to what the organization is going through.

If you've managed year-long projects of 15-20 people, you've done much of the work of the new role already.  I believe there are podcasts here on managing former peers, and on becoming a manager.  If there's a formal mentorship program, budget for role coaches, reimbursement for trainings or college-level courses to solidify your managerial skills, those can help in the transition too.

Do you already have relationships with peers of your new role and of your new boss?  They might have some insights and suggestions on the situation and on making the transition effectively.  Likewise, can you call on friends and others in your network who manage managers, who can train you on stepping up?

Also check in with your spouse or significant other, for insights and concerns they might have.  For instance, my wife would be obstructive of any position I might take requiring overnight travel on my part, or hours which keep me away from family dinner, regardless of compensation.

Joseph

some_anon's picture
Submitted by some_anon on Tuesday April 15th, 2014 9:00 am

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for your well considered thoughts.

I already have quite good relationships with everyone within the company, including the most senior people (it is not a big company). I have spoken with most of the top level managers in the last few days and they are all very supportive.

I will certainly take your advice re: asking about the expectations of the new role. I especially like having a clear definition of success.

I also think I will need some sort of formal training/mentoring to bridge the gap. Thanks for raising some good suggestions there. I will discuss these with my potential new boss to see what might be on offer.

I will certainly give this some more thought, it sounds like it is not impossible to make this kind of jump.

Thanks again!