Q One of my co-workers was promoted to manage my department, and it seems to have gone to her head. We used to have a good working relationship, but I don't know quite how to cope with her new position and attitude.
A Accept that things have changed, then look for new ways to work together successfully.
The inner game
This is a sensitive situation. If you were friends, she may have been a confidant. Maybe you even used to grouse about your old boss. Now she's in that chair, and you're left behind.
It'd be natural to have mixed feelings. On one hand, you may be disappointed, jealous, or feel a sense of loss for how things used to be. These feelings could easily interfere with your ability to establish a new relationship with her. Be honest with yourself about any negative feelings you have, and focus on mentally releasing them rather than dwelling on them.
You may be happy for her at the same time. After all, it's good to see your friends succeeding. It also provides an example for what you might accomplish in your career. Consider all the positive responses you have to the situation and cultivate these feelings.
Moving from the personal, think about roles in a company. In your view, what is the role of "the boss"? Realistically, it's up to the boss to assign work, provide oversight, correct errors, train team members, and mentor development. Setting your emotions aside, assess to what extent your new boss is just doing her job.
Put yourself in her place. It's not easy to supervise former peers. You're under even more of a microscope than a manager promoted from a different team or brought in from outside because you're well-known. And she's lost her peer-level friendships, too. Imagining how she may be feeling may help you take a broader perspective.
