Promoted over colleague

[MyView2]

Hi, I’ve had great news this morning that I’ve been promoted. My new role officially starts in a couple of weeks and a note has gone out to advise the team.

I’ll be managing the team of people that were previously my peers. I discovered also this morning that one of my colleagues had also applied for the promotion and it was between the two of us.

He has very graciously just emailed me to say congratulations but I’m aware from my manager that he is feeling very disappointed at the moment. I previously have had a good working relationship with him albeit we’ve only worked together a few months and virtually at that.

I’m unsure whether to acknowledge at this point that I know he is disappointed or just to say thank you and see if it comes up at a later date. Has anyone gone through anything similar and if so what did you do?

I’d email back a thank you; and maybe bring it up in your first 1:1 that you’re aware he’s keen to progress and frame it as you’re happy to support him in gaining further development etc?

I would just say thank you and not acknowledge it ATM unless it in some way becomes an issue. He may not know that you know he went for the job. If it was me I would be a bit embarrassed that you knew. Discussing it in a 1 to 1 and offering support in helping him progress when last week you were peers, I would find patronising.

Don't mention it, just say thank you

Agree that you shouldnt acknowledge it but just be a supportive manager. I would email back though but something fairly neutral.

Yes, just thank him. A lot of people wouldn't have been able to bring themselves to send a congratulatory message in those circumstances so he's probably a good egg.

Thank you all for your wise words, I was trying to work out how I would like to be acknowledged if it was the other way around. I have thanked him and wished him a good weekend.

@Dyrne

I’d email back a thank you; and maybe bring it up in your first 1:1 that you’re aware he’s keen to progress and frame it as you’re happy to support him in gaining further development etc?

This. He sounds like a good chap as he’s congratulated you and off his own bat as well.

Some time ago in my previous role this happened to me, only I was the colleague who lost out on the promotion. It felt like it was going to be very hard to adjust to working for my former colleague but actually things were never awkward between us because we were both keen to make it work for the good of the team. Best of luck with your new role!