Stepping into any new position, especially as a senior leader, can be a source of deep personal fulfilment and ripe terrain for self-sabotage. Great leaders recognize this truth and take the time to thoughtfully approach their new role before they step into the office on day one. To help you navigate this transition, here are the top five things you should do when accepting a senior leadership role.
1. Assess and Listen
The hardest part of stepping into a new leadership role is resisting the urge to problem solve immediately. Whether you were recently hired or promoted, new leaders need to take the time to understand your team and your company through this new lens. With different concerns, challenges, and goals in mind, comprehending your teams’ dynamics and your company culture will help you tackle management and delegation, team performance, and problem-solving. It’s a good idea to schedule meetings with your key stakeholders. Ask open-ended questions to gather insights about current challenges, strengths, and opportunities for growth. This assessment will help you identify areas that need attention and those that align with your vision.
2. Prioritize Relationship Building
While assessing your company, use this opportunity to build or nurture relationships with your colleagues. Meeting them individually and as a group will do more than build on your plans, but it will foster trust and encourage collaboration. As Shirzad Chamine notes in his book Positive Intelligence, “Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership.” Before you can inspire and lead, you must be trustworthy and reputable. With that in mind, it is critical to do this genuinely. Actively listen to their viewpoints and concerns to create relationships built on mutual respect. Leveraging partnership and diplomacy will cultivate rapport and can serve you during times of uncertainty.
3. Set Clear Expectations
After gaining insight and building connections, it is time to communicate your vision and priorities clearly. Outline your expectations for the team and what they can expect from you in return. Try to be as specific as possible by including deadlines to remain timely and presenting examples for reference. Setting expectations early on helps to align your team toward common goals and creates a sense of direction. Although your proposals may feel finalized, be open to feedback, as this will ensure everyone is on the same page and can produce unexpected avenues for improvement.
4. Recognize the Small Wins
In general, look for opportunities to make a positive impact in the short term or on a small scale. This can range from solving minor issues to implementing process improvements. Being present and proactive with your team will boost their momentum, morale, and confidence. Plus, these moments can serve as great checkpoints. It allows you to evaluate timeliness and efficiency in the streamlining process of your overall agenda. Afterall, applying even the slightest changes or solutions can leave a long-lasting impression on their productivity and assurance in you as a leader.
5. Focus on Development
Lastly, through all of this, focus on developing yourself and your team. Offer your team members chances to learn new skills and take on unfamiliar adversities, so as to encourage a culture of continuous learning. This will train everyone to be far more adaptable, feel much less discouraged, and search for creative solutions when encountering setbacks and addressing new projects. Chamine would view this focus as a “growth mindset,” or the ability to see challenges as opportunities, further enhancing your personal and professional life.
Summary
Transitioning into a senior leadership role doesn’t always have to feel so overwhelming. By properly assessing and connecting with your team, setting expectations ahead of time, and advocating for an environment of growth and development, you can reduce these anxieties, evolve your team, and start your new role on a great foot. Best of luck!
Want to Ensure Your Success in Your Senior Position?
Embarking on a new journey can feel isolating, even when you’re fully prepared. Surrounding yourself with mentors and coaches is essential for support and guidance during this transition. By partnering with a coaching program like TalentRise’s Fast Start Onboarding Coaching, you can gain a deeper understanding of your new role, tackle personal challenges, and accelerate your onboarding success.
If you’re ready to make a lasting first impression on your company, contact us today.
This blog was authored by Kristen Fox.
