Remember when you were rising up through the ranks? What was it about you that persuaded your bosses to give you more responsibility, that singled you out from the others? Your sales performance, winning new business, your technical skills?
And when you took on your new role, what did you discover? Suddenly you’re a manager, a director even, with a new title, more pay, more work, more stress? How did that feel? How does it feel now?
I have a question for you – Thinking about your team, are you their manager or are you their leader? Before you answer that, what do they think?
Natural leaders are a rare species. Most of us have to learn to lead. Respect doesn’t come as part of your new package – you have to earn it.
And, until you do, you can’t expect your team to sign up to your vision, your (slightly different?) way of working, your goals.
Every leader I’ve ever known had a ‘critical friend’ – someone they can trust, who has no private agenda. A highly experienced leader themselves, who you can take into your confidence, talk about your hopes and fears; who’s on your side but isn’t afraid to point out when you’re – how can I put this? – ‘missing the point’.
That’s what I do.
Get in touch for an informal chat. No obligation, just, hopefully, a meeting of minds.
