Transitioning to an Executive Role | How to Become an Executive
You have worked very hard on your career. Each step up has been earned. Now, you have been recognized by the company and have been promoted to an executive position, leading other leaders. Transition to an executive role is about to happen!
This is very exciting! And also terrifying.
Transitioning to an executive role is one of the most challenging circumstances we face as humans. We spend a considerable amount of time establishing relationships, routines, disciplines, systems, and rules in order to make our lives easier so we can be productive and efficient. It seems like we just get everything in place the way it makes the most sense, and something causes us to have to transition. It may be a move, new children in the family, or a health concern. But nowhere is it more disruptive than at work. This is one of the most commonly cited reasons for the need for Executive Coaching.
Why is professional transition at work so difficult?
Success in your career depends on so many factors. You have control of only a few of them. Most career success can be traced back to work disciplines that allow for efficiencies in a tight calendar, strong networks, and solid efforts of clear communication.
Transition and Work Disciplines
Since work is a lot of work, we naturally try to set up systems that run on their own or with minimal direction. These may include calendar reminders, standing meetings, and automated reporting. It takes time to get these established and working in a way that helps us the most. When starting a new position, especially one with a large increase in responsibility, we know that we must establish these types of systems all over again. This feeling of starting from scratch can add a level of stress to existing worries about starting the new position. We do not want to make any mistakes, especially with a new job, so we become ultra-sensitive to the need for new systems. Systems remove stress because they reflect decisions we have already made.
Establish a Routine
In an article by Sam Westreich, PhD, he shares that even in the medical field, where knowledge and skill levels are extremely high, confidence in oneself is low when your routines are new and untested. Until his systems were in place and working, we felt overwhelmed and inadequate. Chrissy Scivicque, PMP, PCM, says, “Having a routine means you don’t have to think too hard about how or when to do something; you know exactly what to do and when to do it because you’ve already figured that out. This reduces both the time and stress of decision-making throughout your day.”
Other work disciplines include those related to work routines. These may include what route you take to get to work, where you get your coffee, saying hello to certain people as you walk down the hallway to your office, and even where and when you have lunch. In a new position, there may be new cultural expectations about your work habits that you have to learn and establish. This means saying goodbye to the old. There is a real sense of loss that is felt when we move on from one routine and on to another. It is acceptable and healthy to recognize your feelings at this point. Consider it a moment of closure that allows you to move on. Therefore, remember that everything you learned and relationships you formed are carried with you. Build on your experience.
Transition and Strong Networks
Your professional network belongs to you. The good news is that no matter where you work, you will always have those people there to support you and help you succeed. However, if your connection to someone is based on being in the same office building with them, you are going to have to either make a concerted effort to keep and build that relationship, or be willing to let it go.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What is the type of relationship we have (friend or professional)?
- Am I obligated to continue the relationship (mentor/mentee)?
- Is this person an acquaintance or do I want to stay connected forever?
- Is my new job putting me in a new confidentiality conflict with this person?
Networks can help you professionally, but they also provide peer groups and a feeling of a safety net during difficult situations. As you move through your career, it may be wise to peel away some of the less fruitful relationships to make room for new, rewarding connections. Recognize personality and character types that make sense to hold on to.
Once you are in your new executive position, make it a point to set aside time each day to meet a new colleague and connect with them in person and online from that point on.
Transition and Clear Communication
The more successful we become at our current positions, the more confidence we have that we will continue that success. Since we depend on others in our teams to be successful through accomplishing goals, it becomes crucial that we understand each other’s communication styles early on. Poor communication not only stunts the project, it stunts the team. Being unaware of your teammates’ communication styles (and not being clear about your own) can cause hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and incorrect directions on how a task is to be completed.
Developing good communication with others becomes the basis of your relationships when in transition to an executive role. Start with the basics of good communication:
- Be a good listener
- Ask a lot of questions
- Repeat what you hear for clarification
- Be specific in your speech
- Explain next steps
- Be aware of body language
- Ask for feedback
You may be nervous and anxious to make a good impression, but that does not mean it is time to dominate conversations. Remember that it is completely acceptable to allow for silence so that you can absorb what is being said by others. Clear communication through understanding your peer’s communication styles requires time and patience. Allow for it.
Are you in transition to an executive role? We can help!
Sojourn Partners is a results-driven executive leadership coaching firm that empowers the professional workforce to think differently in order to realize the full return on investment in themselves and their companies. Professional leadership thinking and intervention, based on years of research and experience, place Sojourn Partners at the forefront in executive leadership coaching, organizational development, strategic planning, and culture and climate change.
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