Nicola is 9 to 5: I have to be the boss – so where is MY pay rise?

Today’s working life is full of ever-evolving challenges and pitfalls. When is it okay to date a coworker? Can you tell your team to return to the office five days a week? Whether you’re a bewildered Boomer, a confused Millennial or a confused Gen Zer, our brilliant columnist Nicola Horlick has got your back.

My company wants me to be the leader of a small team. I’d like to progress, but there isn’t much extra money and no one has talked about training. I’m nervous because the goals are demanding and a few people before me haven’t done well in this role.

The team is made up of very different personalities – and abilities – so it will be difficult. In addition, there are demanding managers above me.

I want to move on, but I don’t want to crash and burn. If I turn down the job, it would look bad and be a missed opportunity. How can I deliver on the promise of a better pay rise in the future, and should I ask them for a place on a short course or other management training?

Yours, Petra.

Nicola replies: It’s normal to be nervous about a new role, especially when it involves managing other people.

From what you’ve said, it sounds like your company is a bit disorganized. You are right to think that additional responsibility should include a pay increase and that if you have not managed people before, you should receive training and possibly a mentor or coach. You should ask your boss if you can have a chat and then say that you want to take on the role but you feel like you need a raise and some help to ensure that you do the best possible work for the company can do.

You don’t have to worry about crashing and burning. Everyone doubts their own abilities as they climb the ladder, and you won’t know if you’re good at managing a team until you actually try. If you receive more money and good support, you will have every incentive to succeed. No doubt you’ll feel more than a hint of ‘imposter syndrome’ as you start the role, but you’ll grow in confidence and before you know it, you’ll be in bed feeling like you’ve made the right move.

When I was thirty, I was asked to head a large fund management company. I had all the same questions as you and because I had agreed everything with my boss, I was worried whether or not I would be able to do the job.

There were some on the team who would have liked to see me fail, but others were very supportive. I made it clear that we were one team, that there would be no politics and that our focus should be on beating our competitors.

Since the company had previously gone bankrupt, there was a deep desire within the team to turn things around. I wanted them to be proud when they told people where they worked.

After a relatively short time, the company started to turn around and gained incredible momentum. As I became more confident, the team became more confident, and it became an incredible place for all of us to work.

So bite the bullet and talk to your boss about the terms on which you’re willing to go the extra mile. I have no doubt that you and your team will succeed if you give them a clear vision.