How Do I Manage My Former Peers Now That I’m Their Boss?
From Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins
November 17, 2025 · 47 min · Episode 5
About this episode
Muriel Wilkins helps a new manager navigate the challenges of leading former peers.
He’s relatively new to being a people manager after working hard and getting promoted quickly at his organization. He’s struggling with communicating and managing effectively with some on his team, especially former peers. Executive coach Muriel Wilkins guides this leader through how he’s currently trying to motivate people, what is or isn’t working, and how he can scale his leadership even further. Check out Muriel’s new book, Leadership Unblocked : leadershipunblocked.com How to Manage Your Former Peers What to Do First When Managing Former Peers 5 Pieces of Advice for First Time Managers 5 Techniques to Build Rapport With Your Colleagues See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
People in this episode
Host: Muriel Wilkins
Topics covered
- management
- leadership
- former peers
- communication
- motivation
Keywords
- people management
- leadership advice
- first time managers
- building rapport
- team motivation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Harvard Business Review
Products: Leadership Unblocked
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- How Do I Help My Boss Without Doing Their Job For Them? · April 27, 2026 · 51 min
- Ask Muriel Anything with Special Guest Dave Stachowiak · April 13, 2026 · 44 min
- How Can I Move Forward When My Company Won’t Promote Me? · March 30, 2026 · 48 min
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