How to Lead Former Peers

Stepping up to lead a team of former peers can be one of the trickiest transitions in leadership. It inevitably changes relationships, and the biggest mistake new leaders make is failing to acknowledge that shift.

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I share the single most important step you must take to set yourself and your team up for success—having an open and honest conversation from the outset. Avoiding it may feel easier in the short term, but it only leads to ongoing awkwardness, uncertainty, and disengagement within the team.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Acknowledge the change – Ignoring the shift in dynamics makes things harder for everyone.

Create certainty – Uncertainty triggers negative reactions and impacts performance.

Have the conversation early – Setting expectations and discussing concerns will prevent long-term discomfort.

By tackling the ‘elephant in the room’ early, you’ll build trust, strengthen relationships, and lay the foundations for a highly effective team.

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