How should a new manager/or an existing one with a promotion establish credibility without seeming authoritarian or over-friendly?
SS: Great question – I think this is something every new or newly promoted manager has to navigate thoughtfully. For me, establishing credibility starts with presence, not position. When stepping into a new leadership role, my first instinct is to listen. Make it a point to have one-on-ones early, not to check boxes, but to understand how each person contributes and what they need to thrive. Then follow through by removing roadblocks, clarifying goals, or fixing small pain points quickly. Action builds trust.
Aim to be firm on principles like respect, transparency, and ownership, but flexible in how you get there. Don’t try to be everyone’s best friend, but do strive to be the kind of leader people feel safe with, and motivated by. That balance between warmth and strength is how you build credibility without tipping into either extreme.
At a senior level, credibility is less...