How to navigate the transition from scientist to leader

1. Take stock

At this stage, you realize that the expertise you’ve spent years developing is only part of what you need to be effective in your leadership role. What makes the transition hard to navigate? It prompts you to think about yourself – the skills you use, the perspectives you bring, the information you communicate – in new and different ways. In the words of executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, you’re starting to realize that “what got you here won’t get you there.” 

2. Set your course

To create a roadmap to guide you through the transition, keep your destination in mind. Your goal is to become a capable and effective leader, so form an image of what “good leadership” looks like to you.

• Who are the leaders you admire and what makes them stand out?
• What values matter to you as a leader, and how do you bring them to life?
• What behaviors do you want to avoid (think back to times when you felt disappointed with the leaders around you)?

3. Measure the gap

Now evaluate what you need and how far you must go to reach your goal. You need data that helps you recognize the important skills you have and the new skills, behaviors, and perspectives you need to develop to reach that goal. What’s important about this data is that it promotes critical self-awareness. You might be an exceptional scientist, but that doesn’t mean you will be an effective leader. Collecting data about the gap between where you are and where you want to be will guide your development. Treat this exercise as if you’re designing an experiment. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to learn?
• What’s the best way to do it?
• What does good leadership look like to those around me?

4. Seek feedback

Now gather feedback from the people around you about the strengths you bring to the role and two or three areas where you could improve to become even more effective. Look for common themes in the feedback and consider the following:

• Where will you get the most return on your investment of time and effort?
• What support will you need to address these areas most effectively?
• How will you hold yourself accountable to achieve the development goals you’ve set yourself?