Everyone agrees that the transition from individual
contributor to boss is difficult. One reason is that some things change for you
the instant you become a boss. Here are a dozen things that happen in the blink
of an eye.

1. Some people will think you turned into a jerk. You won’t
be the exception. Those people think all bosses are jerks.

2. Some people will see you as an opportunity to exploit.
These people imagine you as a way to accomplish their own ends. But they’ll
rarely tell you they think that way.

3. You’ve changed careers. Becoming a boss is more like a
career change than a job change.

4. Talking to people about behavior and performance is part of your
job. You may dread doing it, but you’d better learn to do it
acceptably. If you’re going to be a great boss you’ll do it often.

5. Making decisions is part of your job. In an instant,
you’ve become one of the places that the buck stops.

6. Helping the team succeed is part of your job. Yep, you’re
the one responsible for accomplishing the mission.

7. Helping people succeed is part of your job. It helps to
enjoy this part because you can’t be a great boss without it.

8. The team is your destiny. From this moment on, their
performance is your performance.

9. You have less power. It’s true. See number 8 above.

10. People pay attention to everything you do. Do the things
you want them to do, too. It’s called “leadership by example.”

11. It’s not about you anymore. Get used to it. From now on
it’s about team performance and team morale.

12. Nothing will ever be the same again. See numbers 1
through 11.