Four ways to succeed in your transition to a new leadership role

Whether you’re an experienced leader or just starting out, there are new challenges for you to overcome in every new role. Here’s how to launch into success in the first few months.

With each new leadership role I’ve had in my career I have faced different challenges, each one bringing new people, processes and opportunities to make an impact. I recently moved into a new leadership position as UK&I Managing Director here at Hays, so I know well how critical those first 100 days in a new role are.

Unfortunately many employees don’t have such a positive experience in those first few months. Almost half of employees surveyed for our latest What Workers Want report say they have left at least one job within the first 12 months because it didn’t match expectations set during the hiring process.

There’s a lot leaders can do to improve on this figure, from reconsidering their job adverts to updating their interview techniques, but there are also steps you can take as an individual to make your own first weeks and months a success.

Transitioning into a new leadership role at a glance

To make a successful career move into a new leadership position, you should be prepared and determined. Integrating into the team and building relationships with senior leaders as well as other colleagues should be a top priority. No one knows the organisation like its existing employees, so do your research ahead of time but speak to everyone once you start to gain a real insight.

Once you understand the organisation better, you should make a plan outlining your objectives for the next few months. This way you have a clear focus and you’re less likely to burn out by going too fast too soon.

Learn more about what you can do to succeed in your new leadership role below.

If you’re still looking for your next role or would like to discuss your career needs with an expert, contact your local consultant.

Be ‘leadership’ ready

Most organisations provide some form of welcome material for new starters, but make sure you ask for anything you need to prepare. Almost half (48%) of senior management look for leadership biographies before applying for a role, so it’s a good idea to look back at these and get a head start on getting to know the key people around you.

Most senior leaders will also have a social media presence, giving you a window into their opinions and interests, and perhaps some common ground you can use to help build your new relationship. Information like financial trading updates, annual reports and news announcements are also all useful at this stage.

Don’t just meet your team, listen

Whether you’re a first time manager or experienced C-suite executive, gaining the support of your team is critical to your success. Schedule meetings with all your colleagues and reports, from senior managers to interns, to get an insight into the business. This will also allow you to establish yourself as a manager who values and listens to the input of those around you.

Most people relish the chance to share their expertise, so go into these conversations with an open mind. Ask lots of questions and try to avoid the temptation to change or ‘fix’ everything immediately. Use this time to gather information, make plans and work out who you need to support you.

Agree on your 100 day plan

You’ll have discussed the expectations of your role during the interview process, but make sure you are very clear on your specific objectives. It can be tempting in a new position to try and do everything at once, but that’s rarely a successful strategy and can lead to new job burnout. Be focused on what success looks like for you in the first 100 days of the new leadership role by setting specific goals.

The most common reasons for management level employees leaving a job in the first year are because job ad content was incorrect or misleading, and misaligned expectations with direct management. Address issues like this as directly and early as possible.

Plan for the team you need today, and tomorrow

While meeting with your new colleagues you’ll no doubt be weighing up their skills, strengths and weaknesses and how they can best support your objectives. Establish a structure for formal and informal meetings to keep everyone aligned to your goals and objectives from the start, and identify any potential skills gaps within the team.

For some new managers the first order of business is to recruit a new team to launch a new project or function, or address known skills gaps.

What you need to remember about succeeding in your new leadership role

To succeed as a leader in a new position one of the most important things is to get to know your team and listen to what they have to say. The insight they can provide will be invaluable to your progress at the start. You should also make a 100 day success plan for yourself to determine your goals, but be realistic. Avoid trying to change too much at once.

To find out more about optimising your recruitment process to fill those gaps and ensuring your employees have a successful first 12 months and beyond, read our What Workers Want report.