Making the transition from an employee to having employees is a huge accomplishment. Take the time to pat yourself on the back for the achievement. With the new position comes new responsibilities, and that can get stressful, but don’t freak out. You can handle and manage your new leadership position with these suggestions.
Think Like a Leader
You need to change your perspective. You now have a team to lead, and you can’t keep the same thought process you had in your previous position. This doesn’t mean you start to get snobby or think you’re above others. Remember your humble beginnings.
But start to think about the good of the company and the well-being of your team members. What do they need from you to effectively do their jobs? And what does the company need from you to elevate? Observe how other leaders in the company interact and organise their teams, and ask your team what the previous order of operations was and where they want to see improvements.
Brainstorm First
Think before acting. Don’t make the mistake of implementing or changing things without going through all the pros and cons. You make better decisions as a leader when you weigh all the options. Whenever you face a tough decision, pause, evaluate, and then make an informed decision.
Eventually, it will all become second nature. Your brain will automatically start to see the advantages and disadvantages of every choice you have. Sometimes you may need to delegate the task to others so that you can focus on the big picture of the project.
Become a Visionary
Becoming a visionary leader is something all hire-ups and execs should strive for. There is a lot more responsibility to shoulder. Your job is no longer a portion of the pie but the whole pie.
Think about what being a visionary leader means for your role and your team members. Doing so might force you to step outside of your comfort zone and push yourself beyond what you previously thought you were capable of.
Always Listen
A good leader knows how to follow. Leadership is not about being a dictator; it’s about being a good support system for your team members. Keep an open-door policy and keep the lines of communication open. One way to do that is by having monthly one-on-ones with every member of your team.
Have a different theme for every month. One month can be about feedback, and another can be about struggles. Make sure you leave time for them to voice concerns or share anything they need to. Base the conversations on trends you noticed during the month so that the conversation is never stagnant.
There’s a reason why you get promoted. Believe in yourself and know that you can handle and manage your new leadership position.
