BLUF: I'm starting a new job tomorrow. I'm returning to a company I worked for for many years, but left 6 years ago. My new job is in a higher position, and the people who were my former peers will now be my directs. They have been with the company since before I started my previous job there.
I am likely making assumptions about how they will feel and react to me. My concern is that there may be some resentment that I was given this job after having left the company, when they have been loyally working there for many years. (Kind of like the older brother's reaction to the prodigal son's return).
I want to establish a good working relationship with each of them. In my first interactions, should I address my reasons for leaving 6 years ago, or encourage them to express any concerns they might have about working for me?
Is there a good cast for this situation?
There's a Podcast for That
Yes, there's a podcast for that http://www.manager-tools.com/2012/01/i-am-a-former-peer, even if you left the company I think it applies since they might certainly remember you a one of those who left.
Think what would you feel in their position? Would you really care for the reasons your new boss/former peer left the company? My main concern would be to know why is this man returning as a boss? It might not be the best idea to address this concern directly but to proving them the reasons be an Effective Manager (Apply the MT Trinity); If you come as sincere The One On Ones will be a medium to "encourage them to express any concerns they might have about working for me" in a private/safe environment.
This is a great opportunity for you full of risk and excitement working and relating with former peers; you might find out is not as bad as you expect.
Regards,
Senegoid
Do your former peers even *want* the job?
I've been where you are -- I left a company as an individual contributor, and came back 18 months later as a manager. I was somewhat cautious about whether I'd be resented for taking a job that someone who had stayed there might have wanted.
Turned out to be a complete non-issue. Nobody who was still there even *wanted* the job I took (they're geeks; managing people is about as attractive as a cat's bum to them), and I actually had an easier time of it than I would have had at a new company, as all my former colleagues said nice things about me to the new guys, so I didn't have to prove myself nearly as much as I might have had to otherwise.
Being open about your reasons for leaving -- and coming back -- will certainly help to build mutual trust with your new directs, so I'd definitely encourage that. Just make sure you keep it positive; no bad-mouthing what the company was back then. As Senegoid said, one-on-ones are a great medium for allowing people to express any concerns, so make sure to make those a high priority.