What is the biggest mistake you see people make after they get promoted?

Our reader poll today asks: What is the biggest mistake you see people make after they get promoted?

• They coast and figure “they’ve got this” based on the skills that got them promoted 13.46%
• They start acting like a big shot and treat their former peers poorly 22.96%
• They try to take on too much to impress others and get overwhelmed 36.94%
• They act like a “know-it-all” and are unwilling to listen or learn 19.78%
• Something else 6.86%

New title, same you. Clearly “big shot” behaviors like acting like a know it all, treating others poorly, or being overconfident are big “no no’s” once you’ve been promoted. They’ll alienate coworkers, turn off managers, and frustrate your team members. Remember – it’s the same you, just with a different title and pay grade. Stay grounded and focus on the work. But focusing on the work can carry a risk – taking on too much work to impress others. Be careful not to overcommit yourself. While you might succeed, you’re possibly setting yourself up to burn yourself out from taking on too much work or you might fail at multiple tasks because you’re not ready to take them on. Take a measured approach to your new role, focus on your core responsibilities, and continue being the great coworker that got you promoted in the first place.

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.