b'Making the Transition from Being on the Crew to Leading the CrewBy Randy Goruk - Leaders Edge 360H ave you or anyone youve everpresent when you do.worked with gone from workingSet expectations on the work to be donebe clear on the crew to being in chargeand hold them accountable.of the crew? If so, you know this can beRoll up your sleeves and lend a hand when the crew awkward. If not now, eventually. needs some help. I know Ive experienced it many times and I know itsBe respectfultreat people like you like to be treated happened to many of my clients.and speak to them like they like to be spoken to.Its probably happened to you. You were promoted toShow you carehumanize yourself help them grow supervise those that you worked alongside, or perhapsprofessionally. one of your co-workers was selected to be your new boss. Either way, it can be awkward but it doesnt have to be. Practice humilitygive credit where credit is due. The biggest obstacle for the new boss to overcome is,Use mistakes as an opportunity to teach and coach.how to be friends with workers you supervise, yet stillProvide genuine and sincere appreciation and have their respect and belief in you when you have to berecognition for a job well done.the boss and ask them to do things needed to be done asBe fair and consistentin everything you do. The an employee? perception of favoritism will tear your crew apart and My suggestions for overcoming this obstacle are fairlynegatively impact the outcome of any project.straight forward. First of all, as the new boss you dontAnother key point to always remember, is never feel like have to be friends with your co-workers. Its importantyou have to make popular decisions, but understand, to have a good, friendly and professional workingyou should always make decisions that are best for relationship, but you dont have to maintain a best ofthe business. Its important to be respectful of the buddies relationship outside of the officeunless youimplications of your decisions to others, but dont want to. (I have many people who worked under me thatcompromise your values because you are trying to make a are life-long friends to this very day). Whats best for thedecision that is popular.business may not be best for your friends. Therefore, you must set expectations and boundaries on theThe reality is, it is a common occurrence in the friendship. Be clear and remember when it comes rightconstruction industry for someone to get promoted to down to it, its business before personal. be the boss of their co-workers. How we handle the Next, you may have been selected to be their boss, buttransition is critical to our long term effectiveness as a they didnt select you, someone else did. Therefore, youleader. have to earn their trust and respect every day. You doAs a Leadership Development Expert, Randy Goruk that by demonstrating exceptional leadership at everyhelps managers become better leaders who achieve higher opportunity. There are many ways to do this, here are 10levels of employee engagement and business growth. actions that you can take that will help you earn trust andFor leadership assessments, coaching, workshops or to respect:have Randy Goruk speak at your next meeting or event, Be reliabledo what you say youll do. Follow up. contact him directly at randy@LeadersEdge360.com or Be available and approachable to listen, then be1.800.308.4002 or visit www.LeadersEdge360.com .www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 39'