4 Steps to Transition Successfully Into Your First Big Role
You’ve been promoted to the C-Suite, a Vice President position, or a director-level role—congrats! While stepping into a bigger leadership role for the first time can be thrilling and transformative, it can also be challenging.
Too often, I see leaders who have been promoted to a new position experience a problem I call “leadership shock.” The ground shifts beneath their feet. Suddenly, their calendars are packed with meetings, and their to-do list is overflowing. They are sent into a state of shock, feeling overwhelmed and ineffective in their new role.
So, how can you avoid this phenomenon? You have to be intentional about making sure your transition into your first big role is successful. Based on the principles of the Authentic Leadership Model as outlined in my recently published book, Leadership Shock, here are four essential steps to guide you.
Step 1: Get Prepared & Embrace Change
When I work with executive coaching clients who are about to start their first big role, our initial conversation is about the fact that things are going to be different. Recognizing that you will need to change as a leader—even though you’ve already proven yourself—is hard to do. But it’s the foundation for stepping into your new leadership role successfully.
The skills and capabilities that have made you successful so far and brought you to this leadership role may not be what make you successful now. Adapting effectively requires a mindful approach. It requires tailoring your leadership style to align with the unique demands and context of your new role. This is the mindset that you need to bring into your first big role.
Step 2: Set Clear Expectations
Stepping into your new leadership role is about more than just meeting the responsibilities outlined in your job description. There are two sets of expectations you need to determine:
Role Expectations: Have a conversation with your boss about the behaviors and leadership qualities expected from you (by both your boss and by the organization as a whole). This definition of your role will help you establish a clear approach for your leadership.
Team Expectations: Resist the urge to prove yourself right away. Spend your initial days, weeks, and even months actively listening and learning from your team - and be explicit with them about that. Get to know the team dynamics and the challenges they’re experiencing. Trust the team you inherit. They can offer valuable insights and guide you in understanding the workplace context so that you can lead effectively.
Step 3: Understand the Context
Just as it can be tempting to prove yourself to your new team in the early days of stepping into your new leadership role, it can be tempting to make an immediate impact. Resist this pressure, too. I often ask my clients to “hold their action” during their transition. Remember, things are different in your new role, so using your intuition honed in earlier roles can lead you to the wrong conclusions.
Instead, spend time understanding the context in which you’ll be working. Find out what the organization is currently experiencing. By listening and learning, you’ll not only set yourself up for leadership success, but you’ll also build trust. You’ll demonstrate to others that you respect that they know more than you, and they’ll feel comfortable sharing with you.
Take your time. McKinsey found that 9% of external hires and 72% of internal hires take more than 90 days to reach full productivity. Leverage your first few months as a learning period. Dedicate yourself to figuring out what’s really going on at the organization and between individuals. With this strong foundation, you’ll be ready to start taking action.
Step 4: Be Intentional
By this stage, you’re ready to act. Now, it’s about leading mindfully, authentically, and intentionally. Remember that in your new role, you’re going to have to lead differently than you have before. Apply what you learned over the past few months about your new role, coworkers, and what the organization needs.
Be sure to take pauses and give yourself a chance to catch your breath when needed. This will help you stay mindful of your course of action to meet your vision. Taking a moment to breathe and be intentional about your next move will help you stay aligned. It will make all the difference in your ability to lead effectively.
Stepping into your new leadership role is both a massive opportunity and a significant challenge. By following these four steps, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate this process with clarity and confidence.
For a deeper dive into the Authentic Leadership Model, get a copy of my book, Leadership Shock. It’s filled with insights and actionable strategies to support your growth and success as a leader.
Pete Steinberg is an elite rugby coach, leadership consultant, and author. He can help you and your organization overcome challenges and achieve unparalleled success. Pete’s first book, Leadership Shock, is now available for purchase at all major retailers. You can connect with Pete on LinkedIn and at PeteSteinberg.com.