What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?
In 2013 I asked this question of a group of leaders who had one thing in common – we had all made the transition into Director positions in the Civil Service. The list of ‘top tips’ we shared still feels very relevant for stepping into a new leadership role today.
Since then I’ve changed country, changed sectors and changed career and worked with so many fascinating leaders, from Albania to New Zealand. So here\’s the list along with a few additions from around the world, nearly 10 years later…
What we said then:
🤝WHO?
- Get to know your team and all your stakeholders
- Be ruthless about getting good people and rigorous about building capability from the start
- Make friends with the HR Director
- Find a great PA and business manager and work out what you need from them
- Seek support: establish your networks and get a buddy, mentor or coach
🎯 WHAT?
- Be clear about what you’re accountable for and understand the priorities of those you work to
- Stop doing your previous job: find space to reflect on what you are doing and whether it’s at your new level
- Choose your corporate contributions carefully – you have more autonomy now than ever before to decide what get involved in
- Don’t try to get a grip on all of the detail, it’s impossible. Pick your priorities and set up the systems (and data) to triage the rest
💃HOW?
- Ask your senior team to define their priorities, where they see you adding value and how they want to give and receive feedback
- Communicate your focus and preferences clearly and regularly – never miss a team meeting!
- Prioritise your work/life boundaries – share them and keep refining how you achieve a balance that right for you
- Work out how much of yourself you want to share and with whom
- Trust your judgement: you got the job
… and what I’d add now:
🦢Be credible and vulnerable
⏳ Slow down: give yourself time to pause and reflect
🤓Have a go: don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good
📌Focus on what you can influence, not on what you can\’t
🤼 Build trust through conflict
🏆Generate collective leadership
👂Listen more
What advice would you give to your younger self?
