So many of us have assumed that promotion was something to chase, without being fully prepared for the challenges that new leaders often face. While the rewards are great, the challenges are not easy, and have caused many a would-be leader to quit or never even step up at all. To follow is a list of 10 issues (hardest challenges to sweetest rewards) that will give you the insight you need to gracefully ease your way into leadership, especially if you are being promoted within an organization....

1. Everyone will look and behave very differently to you during the readjustment.

Think of your organization like a merry-go-round, and you just switched horses in the middle of the ride. It will take some time for everyone to gain equilibrium again, and the whole system to find a true new balance. The switch can make everybody dizzy, and you must be the one to first stabilize it.

2. Your inner resources will be tested.

Did you rely on your former position for anything other than a paycheck? Perhaps for friendship, self-esteem, acknowledgement, gratitude? If so, then you will likely find yourself back to square one on those things-- at least for a while. The key to dealing with this? Balance the rest of your life as you give yourself these things that you need.

3. New alliances will be formed and old ones will fall away.

No matter how loyal a particular co-worker/friend may have been, after promotion, you could find that person subtly undermining. At the same time, former antagonists may now be helpful to you and your new position.

4. Your boss may speak in support of you, yet not give you everything you need to get the job done.

This is usually not a conscious act, just an old primal reaction to what seems like a threat... A solution is to be resourceful in getting what you need from more than one source, and paying homage to your bosses'  value in the organization.

5. You will often feel that the new job is "not worth it," and want to go back to your old job

except that you can't go backwards, and the character skills you will develop will improve your life in every area for years to come. A solution is to just remember the rewards that will now be due to those who step up to the challenge....

6. Your standards will rise

Which is a gift to you personally as well. As you develop what it takes to get along with people and get things done, you will expect more from yourself, and have the know-how to improve every area of your life.

7. Your self-esteem will be rooted in bedrock, not the fickleness of other people's whims

You will realize your worth as something greater than your ability to be liked, and prefer to simply be respected instead.

8.  The pay is better

9. You become personally and professionally courted by a whole new group of people.

These folks are more often than not movers and shakers in their own worlds and organizations, and the creators of opportunities.

10. You will get to know yourself even better.

Did you know you could be ruthless, focused, principled and strong? How about good at saying no, gracious gentle and kind too? As a leader, you will get to know all these things about yourself and --if you want to keep going-- even more too.

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Copyright 2001, 2002 by Elizabeth Mullen. All rights reserved. May be duplicated or quoted for personal  use only with complete copyright information intact. Any other use, contact the author for permission. www.elizabethmullen.com