On becoming a "manager"

I'm starting to realize that moving up in the "corporate ladder" comes with some perks and also with some headaches.   It's not like I moved up to a huge position, but within my little world of local TV sales, I'm very happy to have taken a step further in my career and hold a management title.

The time I have spent these past couple of months in figuring out my new role, expectations and proving I deserve to be here can't be counted, my days blend together and I don't remember one month from the next.   All of a sudden is December and next week is Christmas!   I'm excited the bell curve is coming to an end, and I feel more comfortable with the workload, responsibilities and concepts that come with the job. Nevertheless, I didn't quite realize that entering this new role would open new doors for me and would also shut me out of old ones!

It's amazing to see people's attitudes change towards me.  I see some of my "old" colleagues be more careful on their approach when they talk to me, some are all of a sudden super nice, and other just fear me.... what's up with that?  I haven't changed.   Yes, my day-to-day activities have drastically changed, and all of a sudden I don't have time to get up and walk to the cafeteria to get water because I have a deadline, meeting, conference call, etc.    However, I am still the same person, and since I came into this role I have provided more help and support to my 'former' team then I ever did before. 

I'm expressing these thoughts so my brain can process the changes.  Yesterday, the group of peeps I used to hang out with went out on a 'group' lunch to the very same place we all used to hang out as group outings and I was left out.  I'm not particularly hurt about not being invited, I'm just surprised that they kept it 'hush hush' as if I or their own manager wouldn't find out.   It's totally cool that they want to continue doing their thing, but I used to be part of that group, and I guess that what I'm realizing today, is that I'm not longer seen that way.  Isn't that crazy?

I'm glad to be in a different place, and see things in a new perspective.   Being part of the parade and watching the parade go by are two very different things.  Being on the outside looking in it's what I'm learning to do.....let's see where this takes me!