Imagine, after years of hard work and dedication, you have been promoted to a managerial position within your company. Finally, you have earned yourself a raise, the back corner office with no view and tons of new responsibility.

Many supervisory and managerial positions are filled by promoting from within the organization. Furthermore, banks, retail establishments, wholesalers, government agencies, business service firms, health care facilities, schools, and insurance companies employ the largest numbers of supervisors and managers due to their large operations support workforce.

As you glow in your own limelight, there are some aspects of your newfound glory that you should be aware of before you jump right in and start making your mark.

New attitude from your co-workers. After the news breaks out that you’ve been promoted out of the peanut gallery, you may notice that the reception you receive from your co-workers may be lukewarm at best. Unfortunately, some of your co-workers will resent you and your new position for various reasons. Some may feel that they are more deserving, some will question your ability and others will be just plain jealous. Trying to sway your disgruntled co-workers to embrace you and your new position can be difficult but if you treat them with continued respect and help them to develop their abilities, they will eventually accept you as the person in charge.

More responsibility, different workload. A pay increase and job promotion usually results in added responsibility. Although you may be doing the same work, now you have the added task of assigning work to others, monitoring their progress and reporting back to your superiors. Your best approach is to stay organized, diligently record detailed notes in your daily planner and learn how to delegate to others.

Creating Your Team. The most successful departments of any company are those that adopt a team spirit. Creating your own successful team can mean the difference between your success and failure. Firstly, analyze your current team players and determine each team player’s strength and weaknesses. Select one strong and dedicated team player who will assume the position of assistant team leader. This person can be the vital link between you and the rest of the team and be responsible for monitoring and reporting progress and problems within your department. Ensure all team members are clear on their responsibilities, treated with the utmost respect and praised for their efforts.

Establish Job Descriptions. Over time, job descriptions can become muddled. It is a good idea to meet with each employee and review their current job description and responsibilities. Make note of any important contributions or achievements they have made and be sure to utilize these abilities when needed. Employees appreciate being asked for recommendations and opinions on current procedures; so consider all suggestions and make any changes you feel will contribute positively to your department.

Create Department Internal Procedures. Meet with your team to review the current internal department procedures and discuss things such as required hours of work, coffee and lunch breaks, internet use and workplace attire. Gather opinions on what aspects of the current procedures work and areas that need some improvements. If everyone is aware of what it is expected, there is less chance that you will encounter conflict and confusion between old and new procedures.

Be Visible. Nothing harbors resentment more than an absent boss or one who barks orders but is rarely seen contributing to the effort. The best way to gain the respect of your team is to visually show the team that you are willing to pitch in and get the work completed.

Motivating Your Team. Make It Fun. Make it Friendly. A fun atmosphere can make a big difference in the morale of your department. Ensure that some fun is interjected in your department’s daily operation; organize a potluck lunch or after work gathering at a local restaurant. An ‘all work no play’ attitude can be detrimental to your team’s spirit so be creative in keeping your department happy and content.

Becoming the boss can be a demanding but a rewarding experience. Always remember to lead by example and that your success is directly linked to those who look to you for guidance and work beside you to get the job done.