Transitioning Into Leadership

You have been asked to take on a leadership role. Now what?

The transition into leadership can seem daunting, but don’t let yourself become overwhelmed. If you have been asked to lead that means others recognize your potential and believe you are the best person for the job. There will be adjustments, and things may get a little awkward before they get better, but you can rock this transition!

As you transition into leadership, here are some pointers to remember.

You will make mistakes.

Mistakes are inevitable. We are all human. For example, you may delegate the wrong task to the wrong person or you may say the wrong thing in a meeting, but don’t let that stop you from making progress. What’s important is that you own your mistakes, rectify the situation, and keep moving.  Learning from mistakes is a crucial step in learning how to be a great leader.

You will not have all the answers.

A common misconception is that leaders should have all the answers, but that is untrue and unrealistic. Understanding that it is okay to not have all the answers will make your transition into leadership exponentially less stressful. Do your due diligence to be knowledgeable about your field and your role, but if you are asked a question you do not have an answer for, it is acceptable to say, “I do not have an answer right now, but I will find one and get back to you soon.” Having the confidence to admit you do not have all the answers shows humility and a willingness to learn, which also sets a great example for those around you.

It will not be an overnight transformation.

While your responsibilities or job title may change overnight, your transition into leadership will not. It will take time for both you and those you are leading to adjust.  As you learn your new role, learn about those around you.  It will take some time to get used to each other and figure out the best way to work together.

As you transition into your new leadership role, it’s easy to be nervous.  Chances are, however, that you have already been leading, just without a formal title.  Throughout your leadership journey, read books and articles focused on growing as a leader invest in yourself and your development and seek mentoring.

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Are YOU Leadership Material?

Leadership.

This word conjures images of powerful political leaders, CEOs, and other important figures, but leadership is done in other ways.  There is the caring doctor, who gently leads a patient to an important conclusion.  Or the team leader, who helps a team figure out new ways to lead without being overbearing.

A leader’s attitude about leadership is just as important as their ability to lead others. With the right attitude, you can be a leader.

What are the signs that you or someone you know is a leader?

Leaders Value Input

Leaders value input from others.  They even seek it out.  They value input from co-workers and from those who report to them.   They don’t shoot down ideas for the sake of correctness or decline ideas because it doesn’t fit right now.

Leaders Value Feedback

Leaders are open to value added change and constructive feedback.  Just like input, those who are leadership material value feedback on their own work or the current way of doing things.

 Leaders Value Knowledge

Leaders must be curious about their profession and emerging trends. They understand they don’t have all the answers.  They seek out experts and others who have valuable knowledge and surround themselves with other knowledgeable people.

Leaders Value People

At their core, leaders value people. They realize it is only people who can provide the input, feedback, and knowledge that is needed. While technology offers great advantages and insights, these systems not know how to motivate or manage people.

Although leaders may have different strategies for motivating and managing teams, they share the same values.  Do you have the values of a leader?

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