You did it – you got the promotion and now you’re in charge. Whether you have five direct reports or 50, gaining a new leadership role is a cause for celebration. But right on the heels of that celebration, most people get at least a little nervous about how the transition will go. Whether you worked for your predecessor or never met them, you will be inheriting more than their title.

Your arrival began before you got there. Your new team is only new to you. They have been anticipating your arrival since the old leader was on the way out. At first maybe just in theory: “Who will replace her?” And then, if they met you in the interview process, they now have an actual person to discuss (read: dissect).

In most cases, there will be stories about why the former boss is gone, how you were chosen, and a hundred other things. The most important thing to remember is that people fill gaps in........

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