Q&A: What are some of the greatest challenges an assistant manager has faced in the workplace?

Some of the greatest challenges an assistant manager regularly face includes:

• Leading teams that were once peers; managing those relationships. 
• Managing multiple priorities that include admin responsibilities and team engagement. 
• Understanding the financial impacts of decisions made and budget management. 
• Managing the up-level relationship with your reporting Manager. 
• Losing potential income as a salaried versus an hourly employee. 
• Being confident in a leadership role. 

How these challenges can be overcome: 

1. Recognizing that the relationships with your peers will have to change, have a conversation that details your expectations but welcomes collaborative feedback and problem resolution. Above all, ALWAYS do what you say you will do and within a reasonable timeline. Follow-up if you can’t and check-in regularly. Avoid the tendency to unrealistically over-commit. Understand your role first. 
2. Engaging in your teams, getting to know them and providing a safe work environment. Also recognizing their strengths and weaknesses and leveraging those skills to improve team performance. ALWAYS be respectful of their time and appreciative of their efforts. Hold them respectfully accountable when applicable. ALWAYS partner with your Manager and/or your HR partner during those times of conflict management. 
3. Partner with your Manager to understand your role, expectations, financials, and priorities. Also, take advantage of sharing what you need to succeed as well. 
4. Have a frank conversation with your manager about your salary. Find out if you can get a salary increase and/or what is needed to achieve the highest increase. Take note and record all of your accomplishments throughout the year for your performance appraisal so that you can leverage it to get a salary increase at review time. 
5. Understand that confidence comes with time and experience. Be self-aware of your abilities and always seek to develop yourself through continuous learning, expanding your internal networks and leading projects.

There are likely many more challenges, but these are usually the top. 
I hope this helps! Wishing you well!