You’ve landed the opportunity of a lifetime and are ready to celebrate this career milestone. As a seasoned veteran in your field, you’re likely well-equipped for the journey ahead. But even the most prepared and confident C-Suite executives often encounter a few curveballs along the way.
In fact, as many as 74 percent of US leaders say they feel unprepared for new leadership positions. The good news is that with proper planning and strategy, you’ll start strong right off the bat.
Here are our top four areas of focus when segueing into your new role:
Transition Slowly- There’s no race to the finish line. This is an incredible opportunity, so take time to adjust accordingly. Some experts estimate it takes 100 days to transition, but anything can (and often will) happen in the beginning. Don’t put a time limit on this grace period— you owe it to yourself and your new employees.
Assess and Acclimate to Climate- This may be the strongest predictor of a smooth transition. Whether you’ve been promoted from within or moved to a new company, employee relations are going to look a little different. You’ll gain valuable knowledge evaluating areas of strength but also those in need of improvement. While it’s easy to gravitate towards like-minded individuals, doing so will cause you to miss valuable growth opportunities.
Aim to create a cohesive environment that supports diversity and collaboration. This positions you as a strong leader who’s open to change— something that benefits even the most well-run corporations.
Set Performance Metrics- How will you measure growth? Each CEO has an individual strategy, so identify yours early and communicate goals and expectations with your team.
Speaking of teams, cultivate ones that will collect data and bring goals to fruition. Whether seeking to expand technology or foster new business relationships, you can’t be everywhere at all times. Entrusting the right people to monitor these goals is essential to your company's prosperity.
Peter Marc, management consultant, and business visionary perhaps said it best. “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Set tangible, concrete metrics to drive progress in finances as well as staff relations.
Keep Learning- The strongest leaders are skilled problem solvers, and the best way to do this is to stay ahead of industry trends. Immerse yourself in news outlets and conferences, and follow prominent leaders on social media. Your responsibilities as a CEO are never done. Seek to inspire those around you to continue seeking new learning opportunities as well. Doing so fosters an incredibly strong team to support you.
If being a CEO were easy, everyone would do it, but that’s why they hired YOU for the position. Plan, execute, and monitor your vision to solidify your new leadership role. Most importantly, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and congratulate yourself on this achievement.
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