Starting in a new senior leader job is exciting, but also challenging. How do you ensure that you position yourself as a respected leader within a short time, and create an environment in which your employees can thrive? Robert Walters asked advice from several C-level executives.
1. Immerse yourself in the organisation and its people
Immerse yourself in company reports, financial statements and industry news so that you understand the company, its market dynamics and competitive landscape. The steeper your learning curve, the sooner you can contribute to good decisions. Next to that, have a look into the data from management reports so that you get an even better understanding of the business. It is also important to get information from your key stakeholders as soon as possible. Andrew Powell, CEO at Robert Walters Group: "Dare to ask questions during conversations with stakeholders. What issues have been going on recently, and in what way have these developments affected the workplace? Are there any concerns among employees, and to what extent are they justified?"
2. Focus on relationship management
It is tempting to dive straight into the day-to-day work in a new role. ''When you move into a senior leadership role, engaging with your team and building relationships is just as important," said Joanne Rodrigues, Group Chief Financial Officer at Affin Bank. True leadership is about building meaningful relationships and fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, inclusiveness, appreciation and safety. In doing so, you form a solid foundation from which your employees can flourish.
3. Build a shared vision
As a senior leader, it is essential to create a shared vision and common goals. But the first step is to make sure you understand your people well, advises Wuthivet Vetchabutsakorn, SVP & Group Head of Finance at ONYC Hospitality Group. ''Pay attention to your team members, their skills, ambitions and development opportunities.'' Once you have mapped this out, you can decide together where you want to work towards. By letting people think about the future, you create more buy-in for your strategy, and therefore motivation within your team.
4. Secure early wins
It makes sense that you will need some time to get into your new role, but nevertheless try to aim to be able to share some successes in the short term. To do so, look for low-hanging fruit. Preferably choose projects that align with your long-term vision and goals.
Andrew Powell, CEO at Robert Walters Group, advises looking at the organisation from a distance, because you will notice things that employees who have been around for years will not notice. Identify opportunities where something can be done immediately and trust your gut feeling in doing so.
More information
Download the eguide 'First 90 days in a senior leadership role', written for professionals taking on senior leadership roles for the first time. In this eguide you can find valuable advice from seasoned leaders from a wide range of fields. For more information, contact our executive search specialists via +3120 644 4655 or via netherlands@robertwalters.com.
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