SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from more than 210,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our e-newsletter.
Have you ever struggled transitioning from one level to the next, like from manager to director?
- Always — I’ve struggled every time I’ve changed levels: 14%
- Sometimes — I’ve had a couple of bumpy transitions: 49%
- Rarely — Most of my transitions have been smooth: 28%
- Never — I’ve never had trouble making a leap: 9%
Expectations have changed. You got the promotion because people believe in you. It’s time to start believing in yourself. When changing levels, look at behaviors that need to change and be honest with yourself about insecurities you have about the next level. The keys to transitions are embracing the new expectations, spending time preparing to contribute in new ways, and acting “as if” you’re supposed to be at that table – because you are. The faster you can wrap your head around the new expectations and practice those new behaviors, the smoother your transition will be.
Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS and the host of the upcoming Executive Insight 16 — a leadership conference being held in New York this November.