From Peer to Leader: Earning Respect When Loyalty Lags
- Nada Johnson
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
👩🏽💼 By Potential Unlocked | Workplace Conflict Coaching for Women
So, you got the promotion. You stepped up. And now, instead of being supported, you’re met with cold shoulders, quiet resistance, or team members who suddenly “forget” how to communicate.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
When women are promoted from within, especially in tight-knit teams, things can get messy. The people who used to joke with you in the lunchroom now avoid eye contact in meetings. They question your decisions. They talk in circles instead of coming to you directly.
This isn't just about “jealousy” or personal drama. It’s about power, unspoken rules, and what happens when a team’s comfort zone is shaken up.
💬 What’s Really Happening?
Let’s name it.
When women step into leadership, especially younger women or those promoted from within, the team can push back in subtle but frustrating ways:
Work gets done, but without care: Projects move slowly. Tasks feel “phoned in.” You’re not imagining the resistance.
Your authority gets tested: Instead of following your direction, some team members double-check with others. It’s like they’re trying to see what they can get away with.
Cliques and side conversations start forming: Problems come to you late (if at all), and you feel excluded from your own team’s flow.
This kind of tension shows up often in tight-knit settings, think healthcare, schools, or unionized teams where people have worked together for years. But it can happen anywhere trust and expectations haven’t shifted with your role.
Why It’s Not Your Fault
The discomfort you're feeling has less to do with you and more to do with what happens when leadership shifts.
Some team members may not be ready to see you as “the boss.” Others might be dealing with their own disappointment. And unfortunately, many women still face unconscious bias the moment they take up space in leadership.
Research shows women in leadership are more likely to be collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and visionary in their thinking. These strengths often create healthier, more connected teams but can be misunderstood in environments that expect more traditional "male" leadership traits (Regent University, n.d.).
On top of that, younger or newer leaders (especially women) have to work twice as hard to be seen as credible. That doesn’t mean you have to overcompensate or change who you are. It just means you need a clear approach for earning trust without losing yourself (Charleston Southern University, n.d.).
💡 How I Help Women Navigate This Transition
This is where Potential Unlocked comes in.
As a workplace conflict coach, I support women supervisors and managers through these exact challenges without judgment, and without the “just be tougher” advice that doesn’t work.
Here’s what coaching can help you do:
Set boundaries that are clear but not cold: Respect doesn’t mean being harsh. It means communicating in a way that builds structure and signals that you're leading now.
Handle resistance with calm, direct confidence: We’ll work on what to say when someone challenges you and how to say it in a way that earns respect, not resentment.
Reset your team’s dynamic with structure: Sometimes, it’s not about personality, it’s about expectations. Tools like updated workflows or communication norms can shift energy fast.
Build your credibility as a leader: Small things like follow-through, consistency, and presence make a big difference in how you’re perceived (Charleston Southern University, n.d.). I’ll help you own that space without overthinking everything.
🧭 You Can Still Lead With Confidence
You earned this role for a reason. And even if the transition feels awkward right now, that doesn’t mean you’re not ready, it just means the team is still adjusting.
✨ Let’s work together to get you there. Book a free consult and take the first step toward leading with clarity, calm, and confidence.
Want more guidance?
Do the following:
Contact me at info@potentialunlocked.ca to book a free 10-minute consultation call to determine how I can assist you in your career
Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter by clicking the link here: Potential Unlocked
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I look forward to unlocking your potential with you! 💜
With clarity & strategy,
Nada Johnson,💜
Certified Career Strategist, Workplace Conflict Resolution Specialist, & Online Empowerment Dating Coach
Founder of Potential Unlocked™
🌍Website: www.potentialunlocked.ca
📩 Contact: info@potentialunlocked.ca
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We support clients with:
A safe, supportive and confidential space to openly discuss your fears, concerns and challenges
Guided discussions and self-reflections to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions and behavior. We get to the heart of "why you do what you do"
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References
Charleston Southern University. (n.d.). How to gain respect as a young leader.https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/blog/how-to-gain-respect-as-a-young-leader/
Regent University. (n.d.). What women bring to leadership. Journal of Strategic Leadership. https://www.regent.edu/journal/journal-of-strategic-leadership/what-women-bring-to-leadership/
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