While it’s getting better in the corporate world, there’s still something that companies are doing, and it makes no sense:
Promoting people and not giving them support to succeed in that role.
Nobody would ask a surgeon to do a new kind of surgery without giving them training and on the job support.
Yet we do this to leaders all the time. Promote them to the next level and let them struggle.
“I like this new leadership role, but I don’t know if I want all this people management stuff that goes with it”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this from a client, just this year.
And it’s followed by a “maybe I’m not cut out for leadership” and a “maybe I’ll look for a different job”.
Good leadership isn’t something we are born with. It’s a set of learnable skills wrapped up in your personal leadership style. ALL of this can be learned and developed.
Hopping onto my soapbox.
Companies: Make leadership coaching and training standard for all your promotions and hires. Don’t make them struggle through and pick up bad practices, then leave. Don’t make them beg and negotiate. Give them what they need to succeed.
People: If they haven’t given it to you, ask for it. Leadership 101: ask for help.
Or go out and get it for yourself. About 70% of the people I work with are paying for their leadership coaching program themselves.
Why? Because they were working long hours, the people management side was taking up so much time and energy, and some were thinking about giving up a job they loved because of this.
Please don’t assume that you should just know.
And don’t assume that because team leader/manager worked out that being a director is more of the same. It is and it isn’t. (that’s helpful, isn’t it?)
Each layer of leadership has it’s own challenges. Use what you know, learn what you don’t.
Ok, hopping off the soap box now.
“What’s a leadership series? How’s it different from the thought series or coaching tips? Good questions.“ This series gives you tips to take your own leadership to the next level, and ways you can extend your own capabilities. Ready to take your skills to the next level, but aren’t sure where to start? Get in touch with me.