The path from team player to team leader can be difficult to navigate. When you are promoted as an internal candidate, you need to tread carefully. You might face tension, angst, and jealousy. There's a simple method to avoiding an awkward transition and Nils will share exactly how he did it.

In one company, I was a CSM in a team of nine, with seven CSMs based in San Francisco. We were a very close group - we'd talk all day, have regular meetings and always help each other out. We all worked at the same level of Individual Contributor. I left the office as a CSM on a Friday afternoon, and when I arrived on Monday morning, I was the new Team Leader.

I was very excited to prove myself as a leader, but I knew that if I made this transition all about me, the trust I had worked so hard to build would be lost. So, I shifted the focus completely off me and onto the team. I facilitated a workshop where we agreed upon three core values and a team name that we had pride in. I listened more than I talked. After the workshop, we had our very own identity and brand - we became Team Solid!

The transition was smooth because my sole focus was listening to the team. I could have said "I'm now a manager, and you report to me. Here is what we are going to do. We are going to optimize all this stuff." Instead, I listened and learned what was important to them.