We recently held interviews for internal promotions within our firm! This time is extremely exciting for PRowl, as we watch new leaders emerge and work to take the firm to new levels. Taking on a leadership role, or moving up to a new level, can be a difficult transition. The leadership in an organization, especially in a professional setting, can be the determining factor of progress and success.
When taking on a leadership role, consider these five tips to start off on the right track:
1. Evaluate the situation. Before jumping in, it is crucial to determine where you are really starting. If possible, talk to the person who held the role you're assuming prior to you. Ask what he or she set out to go, what goals they accomplished and any problems that they encountered. Also, take this time to evaluate your team members. Ask what they enjoyed about the previous leader, and what they found to be insufficient, and if they feel valued.
2. Set goals for yourself. Now that you better know what to expect in your role, and have had time to gauge the feelings of your team, you can get goals to work towards. Use the information you gathered in the first point to set realistic and attainable goals for yourself. These goals should be reflective of improvements you would like to make and the feedback your team offered. Remember, you should be working for the good of the group.
3. Share your goals and vision with the team. Once you have some direction for yourself, it is important that you get your team onboard. Share your goals with them, and explain why you have selected these goals. Also, share how those goals play into the larger vision for the work the group will produce. Ask for feedback from your team; you will need their support in making this goals come to pass!
4. Set collective goals. Now that you have explained yourself to the team, and built their confidence in you, it's important to bring their wants and needs into the picture. As a collective unit, you should set realistic internal and external goals. An internal goal could be along the lines of "Have a social gathering together once a month," and an external goal could include "Produce twice as much client work as we did last month." Setting goals together allows every member of the group to feel valued, and builds trust in knowing you are working for the same things.
5. Assign roles and responsibility. Now that you and your team are on the same page, you all can decide who will carry out which tasks. Be sure to explicitly describe all expectations and responsibilities, clear communication now will avoid problems down the line.
Be sure to document everything that you and your team decides so that everything can be referred to later. Revisit your original plans often to see how much progress you and your team have made since you first began your journey as a leader.
When taking on new leadership roles, what first steps do you take (or would you take) or see that things run smoothly?
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