Congratulations on your new leadership role! You were great at your previous role so this is a big step, and you know you are going to succeed. But where do you start?
Can you relate to this? You’ve been great at your individual contributor role and now you will be leading a team. There is so much to consider and new mindsets to develop. You may still have some direct deliverables that you are personally responsible for, however now you also have the responsibility of motivating others to perform. And…you are responsible for their outcomes as well.
This can be a difficult transition. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:
Listen to your team: One of the most important skills of a good leader is the ability to listen. Take the time to understand the concerns and perspectives of your team members. This will help you build trust and create a more collaborative work environment.
Set clear goals and expectations: It's important to establish clear goals and expectations for your team so that everyone is working towards the same objectives. Be specific about what the team needs to accomplish and communicate it clearly to your team.
Lead by example: As a leader, you should model the behavior you want to see from your team. If you want your team to be collaborative, then be collaborative yourself. If you want your team to be innovative, then be innovative yourself.
Delegate effectively: One of the key skills of a good leader is the ability to delegate tasks effectively. Make sure that you assign tasks to team members based on their strengths and interests and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
Build relationships: Take the time to build strong relationships with your team members. This will help you understand their strengths and weaknesses, and will also make it easier to provide feedback and support when needed.
Be open to feedback: As a leader, you should be open to feedback from your team members and peers. Encourage them to provide constructive criticism and listen to their suggestions for improvement.
Continuously learn and improve: Leadership is a continuous learning process. Take the time to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends. This will help you grow as a leader and will also benefit your team.
These are a few brief tips for anyone in a leadership role that will help you continue to advance your goals, your team, and your organization.
In addition, I'm offering a free resource, Building a Leadership Foundation, which is a self-paced 5-day challenge and should only take 5 - 15 minutes per day. At the end of the week, you will have created your personal mission statement, identified your values, developed goals that help you live on mission, and created an action plan.
"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts.
It is about one life influencing another."
John Maxwell
If you would like to discuss your new role and your challenges, let’s connect! I would love to hear from you.