The Situation: Becoming a leader
Jane has been working in the organization for more than twenty years. Now, she has been promoted to the senior manager of the group she has been in for ten years as a team member. Jane is having a difficult time getting the team to see her as the manager. She is also used to going lunch with the group. Now she is not being invited. Senior management is expressing concerns that Jane cannot make the transition to manager because she has not gained the respect of her team as the new leader.
The Solution:
In order for the team to accept Jane as their new manager, she needs to understand their relationship had to shift. Lunches occasionally with the team could still happen once goals were achieved. Jane learned that soliciting their input instead of overriding their voices was critical to empowering the group. Jane also changed her daily wardrobe from very casual to a business casual. The bi-monthly meetings included an agenda item asking the team a week in advance for their input on discussion areas.
The Outcome:
A year later, Jane leads a high performing team! She continues to work to ensure her team sees her as a leader as well as being a partner in the work of the group. Senior leaders are also impressed with how she presents herself in their meetings with her succinct message and presence.
Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.