Six things no one tells you about becoming a leader
Becoming a leader for the first time can be isolating. Here’s what the management playbooks don’t tell you, and some advice on dealing with the new dynamic....
Brain Circuits
Looking to accelerate your leadership career? Start here
Progressing to senior leadership begins by upgrading your mindset. Here’s how to get started.
Going from capable contributor to credible leader
At the start of your career, your success is often defined and measured by how well you perform the tasks assigned to you. But progressing successfully to senior leadership is not just predicated on strong performance – it calls for an intentional upgrade in the way you think, the way you form relationships, and the way you model different behaviors and approaches.
Thinking beyond the task
How do you start making this upgrade? It begins by thinking beyond the task. The onus shifts from delivering outcomes to shaping direction. What matters now is being able to see the bigger picture ahead of your role, function, or even organization and taking the initiative to reshape it.
This means transitioning from a reliable executor to a forward-thinking contributor who thinks beyond the immediate task, challenges assumptions, connects tactics to strategy, and anticipates what might be coming down the line.
Tips to get started
To do this, integrate these behaviors and habits into your management practice:
- Ask questions about goals that invite deeper exploration of the risks, opportunities, and trade-offs. Ask “why” as well as “what” or “how.”
- Think about how your work connects to the broader business goals of your organization.
- Leverage this to formulate insights in meetings, not just updates.
- Share ideas that will improve customer impact, team efficiency, and the overall strategy of the business.
- Manage upward by proactively keeping your boss informed while offering insights and solutions.
Key learning
In your early career, you are valued for your ability to get things done. To progress in leadership, you need to shift your mindset from delivering outcomes to shaping direction.
Authors
Related
Is your leadership blind to neurodivergence?
Learn practical strategies for recognizing neurodivergence in the workplace, turning behavioral differences into strengths through culture-aware leadership....
How to be a good mentor
Learn how great mentors listen, ask better questions, and guide growth—helping mentees gain clarity, confidence, and take meaningful next steps...
Bricklayer to architect: Seven transitions for leaders
Understand the seven major changes in leadership mindset and capabilities required for successful transition to enterprise leadership, as detailed by Michael D. Watkins....
Learn Brain Circuits
Join us for daily exercises focusing on issues from team building to developing an actionable sustainability plan to personal development. Go on - they only take five minutes.
Explore Leadership
What makes a great leader? Do you need charisma? How do you inspire your team? Our experts offer actionable insights through first-person narratives, behind-the-scenes interviews and The Help Desk.
Join Membership
Log in here to join in the conversation with the I by IMD community. Your subscription grants you access to the quarterly magazine plus daily articles, videos, podcasts and learning exercises.