Let’s say you were asked to become the Information Technology manager in a mid-sized company you’ve been part of for three years. You know the people in the department. They have worked with you for an extended period of time. Chances are, most of them like you, and some may have even had a hand in recommending you for the job. Wow. You’re off to a good start. Or are you?

There is a big difference between working with people and being over them in a hierarchy. You probably know the difference, but may find the transition a bit daunting. It takes patience and skill to make that shift. Not everyone succeeds at it, but you have a better chance if you follow some of these basic principles.

First, look before you leap. Don’t just assume you know exactly what to do. And don’t let your people feel like they’re left out. Even if you know what to do on your own, get some “buy-in” along the way. Allow your staff to be a part of the decision-making process. Seek their input and try to form a consensus before jumping headlong in a new direction, project, technology, or vision. Just don’t let the process of achieving consensus stifle forward movement.

You need to lead, show strength, and be decisive. But you also need to balance the confidence you have with the need to involve your people. The most important thing people seek from their leader is a feeling of being “in on things.” A participatory style of leadership is almost always the best course of action. There may be a few exceptions, as in the military. But most of us aren’t running squadrons of soldiers or fighting a war. We’re leading people in normal, everyday business, and it’s how we learn to interact with them that can assure a smooth-running operation. In fact, think of your staff as though each of you made up a sailing crew rather than an army platoon.

Tags: Advice, Business Development, Business Tips, Developing Leaders, Leadership Excellence, Leadership Skills, Management