Countless men and women hope that one day they’ll be able step into a management role at work. Many are certainly attracted to the idea of climbing the ladder of success, while others may want the opportunity to work on unique projects or lead a team of their own. What they may not realize, however, is that management comes with its own set of responsibilities and complex duties that can overwhelm even the most seasoned workers. Adjusting to a management role can be challenging, so take a look at what you can expect after you accept that big promotion.

Difficulties Managing Former Peers

You might be a manager now, but you were a member of the rank-and-file once, and that means you could be in a situation where the men and women you need to manage were the colleagues you’ve spent the past few years working beside. They may not be inclined to see you as a voice of authority, and it may be uncomfortable for you to issue instructions to people who you may have viewed as friends. This tension can lead to low morale and diminished productivity.

Prioritizing Projects

As an employee, your manager tells you what you should be working on and when you should complete it, but once you step into a management position, you suddenly need to determine for yourself what to work on and how quickly it needs to be done. Who knew that setting a schedule could be so hard?

Motivating the Team

In the words of former GE CEO Jack Welch, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Now that you’re a manager, you need to find ways to motivate your team and help them to grow. There are myriad ways to do this: It can be as simple as recognizing an employee’s hard work in front ot the team. Keeping the team motivated goes a long way for morale and productivity.

Asking for Help

Just because you’re a manager doesn’t mean that you have all the answers. If you don’t know the answer to a question or the solution to a problem, don’t feel like you’re hands are tied. Feel free to reach out to your fellow managers or even your employees and ask them for help. This will help people show that you’re willing to show your limits to others and work to find solutions, which will make them reciprocate those behaviors with you.