How can you make a success of your first leadership role. That’s a question I’ve been asked a few times, so, let’s get into it.
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This is learning, so, sit back and enjoy
Here’s a message I got from a student. English isn’t their first language, so I’ve edited it a little…
“First of all hearty congratulation for putting up such an insightful course on leadership. I really like the course name as everyday leadership is an hourly need and not just a conference discussion.“
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“I’m at the cusp of a transition from my old company to a new company. And with the new company, my role is going to be more of a leadership role, and it is going to be the first time for me. So, I’m excited and at the same time extremely anxious about handling this situation. So, I wanted to understand from you how do I handle this situation and make an amazing mark not only on my team but also to senior management at large.“
There are many parts to the answer.
Managing upwards will be a big part of your success. Just because you are a leader now, it does not mean you are completely in charge. You still have a boss, and they will be the one to assess your success as a leader.
Pearson commissioned me to write about this for their low-cost Business Express eBook series. The book is called
I’ll put a link to it in the description – and also to my free article, ‘Keep Your Boss Happy – How to Do it without Without Working Hard‘.
Ask what they expect of you and how they want you to deliver. Your single most important objective is their trust. This means:
And find out their style, preferences, and priorities. Make it your priority when you are with them to listen hard, and ask good questions. This attitude will impress more than claims about capabilities you haven’t yet demonstrated. Then, deliver on the things that matter to them.
For longer assignments, keep your boss informed of progress. Ask for feedback and listen without interruption. Act on what you learn.
Be proud of your own professionalism, but recognize that your job is to lead people to achieve the results you are set.
Get to know each person and build a relationship with them. Find out what they are good at and what they want. This way, you can help them succeed.
With your team as a whole, prioritize communication. Build a culture where everyone communicates effectively with one another. Share any information you get – but they should not rely on you for information they can share amongst themselves.
Do whatever you can, to make their lives easy. As a leader, you have just one job: to help your team succeed. Your role is all about them.
But, also make sure you look after your health and welfare, so you are in a good state to serve your boss and support your team. This means plenty of:
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
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For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
Your First Leadership Role: How to Succeed | Video Click To TweetDr Mike Clayton is one of the most successful and in-demand project management trainers in the UK. He is author of 14 best-selling books, including four about project management. He is also a prolific blogger and contributor to ProjectManager.com and Project, the journal of the Association for Project Management. Between 1990 and 2002, Mike was a successful project manager, leading large project teams and delivering complex projects. In 2016, Mike launched OnlinePMCourses.
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