I am headed back to work Monday. To a new role in a company I know well. The beginning of the end.
Before You Reach The End, Set For Success
When I head into a new role or a new job there are a few practiced things I do that I have found help set me up for success.
First
I will make sure I am mentally prepared for this change and new task.
I will review my long-term goals and my values. And, step into this role with an eye on my future. Additionally, with awareness of what is expected of me, I remain firmly planted in who I am.
It is true, I was brought to this opportunity for a reason.
Your employees, the groups you work with, need to know where you stand. They need to know what is expected of them. Additionally, what support they will receive from you.
Change in leadership is difficult for everyone. It is true, as difficult for the employees as it is for the leader themselves.
These changes trigger fears. Fears which can be addressed early on by discussing expectation. And, how performance will be observed and measured.
Second
I am human.
Above all, I lead by example. And, stay consistent to my values. In addition, I do this while delivering the results that are asked of me.
If I am asked to do something unethical, I will say no. Even more, if I observe something that is unethical, I will speak up.
People need to know who and what you are. And, they learn this two ways:
- By listening to what you say and the way that you say it; and,
- By observing your actions and alignment with your words. Did you do what you said? Are you predictable? Do you take responsibility or place blame? Do you give or take?
Third
Open the door to communication.
And, be the first to walk through it.
Make sure you are checking in with your people regularly. As a result, you will know what issues are arising, how people are coping, and generally the health of the organization.
You can do this formally or informally. Personally, I approach communication informally and appreciate direct communication.
As a result, I know the pulse of the workplace. Therefore, I am better prepared to correct issues and make good decisions.
When people are not sharing information, critical pieces could be missing that lead to poor decision making. Worse, a negative climate.
Accordingly, I create a safe place for people to share with me. This makes the work environment better for those who must work in it.
Indeed, in all workplaces there are multiple unofficial lines of communication happening all the time. With this in mind, I do not participate in gossip and rumors. However, I will listen to peoples concerns, successes and struggles.
In fact, I will stop gossip if I hear it and I will address rumors when they are brought to me.
Furthermore, both gossip and rumors hurt. They hurt people, they hurt the work environment and they hurt your company.
People Are Messy. The End.
When you lead people, anything can happen. People are messy.
It does not matter what level of society you think you are in. Indeed, in work people have problems and baggage and emotions. In fact, it all must come out somewhere.
Inevitably, some of it will come out at work. And, being a leader puts you center stage for involvement. Know that it is better to hear from people in a calm setting than to clean up after issues come out in a negative manner.
This touches on part of what I enjoy in the work that I have done. No day is the same.
This is because of the people. Actually, I know a secret. My success depends on their success. We are in this together.
The first 90 days of any role are the most important 90 days. I will actually make a note in my calendar the first day and the 90th day. Additionally, I will set an intention to put all my energy and focus toward my new work priorities for these 90 days.
This is not my idea. 20 years ago I read it in a book. In fact, I have followed this advice through many job changes, promotions, and project kick offs. It works.
This Last Item Is For Me, An Exciting End
I know how much leadership roles can take out of a person.
Additionally, I know that there are challenges ahead and that will take energy. I will take some time before Monday to make sure I have laid out a plan for my wellbeing as I undertake this new role.
In the next few months there will be a lot of people returning to work. Not to mention, we are not headed in fresh. No, we are headed in somewhat bruised from the year we have been through.
If You Get Nothing Else From This Post
At least, take this last point.
When you go back to work make sure you set out time for your health, for balance in your life, and for your personal relationships.
Place those critical items in your calendar.
And, this return is the beginning of an ending for me. I have a date set for my exit from the 9 to 5. It is a few years away but the date is set and the countdown starts Monday.
Additionally, all of our posts in the Career Series can be found here.
Finally, more great content can be discovered on our Youtube channel.
