Be prepared to deal with a new set of challenges when you’re promoted

Balance the breadth and depth of your new role
For example, if you’ve been promoted from marketing manager to project manager, shift your focus away from the marketing team and take a higher perspective that includes all the other teams under your supervision. Look at the bigger picture when making decisions instead of getting mired in the details of every task.

Change the way you delegate
The way you delegate will change based on the size of the team you’re overseeing. For example, if you’ve been promoted to manage a team of 5 people, focus on delegating specific tasks such as writing a marketing email. If you’re managing 50 people, then delegate projects rather than tasks. If you’re promoted to manage a team of 500, delegate responsibility for platforms or products instead of projects.

Exert influence rather than authority over others
The higher you go up the ladder, the more political your decisions become due to the big egos involved.  Instead of controlling your team by dictating every little decision, form alliances with the different groups under you. Rely on their expertise, gain their trust, and create an environment of mutual support.

Establish new communication channels to stay connected to employees
Promotion moves you farther away from the front lines, which means you’re likely to receive second-hand information. To ensure you receive unfiltered information, meet the frontline workers regularly and maintain direct contact with selected customers. You can also convene town-hall-type meetings instead of small group sessions to deliver messages to a wider audience.

Adjust to a greater level of scrutiny
Promotions come with a higher level of scrutiny. To prepare for this, ask yourself these questions: What does a leader look like at this new level in the hierarchy? How do they act? What personal leadership brand do I want to have in this new role? How will I make it my own? This will help you know how to handle the pressure to display the right kind of leadership at all times.