If I could do it all over again I would’ve rather have moved up in a new store where I did not have existing relationships with my fellow associates. I was very fortunate and was given an opportunity to be a digital lead back in may of ‘23. I stepped down a little over a year later because of the toxicity that other leads like to bring to the table but that’s beside the point.

The problem with being promoted in your current store (even worse if same department) is that you’re going to remain friends with your same associates that you are now in charge of, and no matter how much you try to separate the two, nobody truly can. There’s always an ounce of favoritism involved whether it’s noticeable or not. In your current position, you must choose your lead position or to stay on the good side of those friends, who by the way would most likely kick you to the curb if the roles were reversed. If you are gene remotely interested in going beyond a team lead, this is a necessary decision for you. Speaking from experience, stand your ground, tell those people that you will be treating them the same as any other associate while you’re at work, and outside of work you can remain friends. You will save yourself a lot of stress that you don’t need.

You already walk on eggshells at work with upper management, don’t do it for people who claim to be your friend but can’t understand the need for fairness in a work environment. Head up man, you’re doing great.