The mindset you need for a career move to an executive role
Believe it or not, now could be a great time to prepare for a career move to an executive role. While companies adjust to the changing realities of operating in a pandemic, they will need strong leaders who have growth mindsets and innovative solutions to challenges.
If you have worked as an individual contributor or mid-level manager for awhile, you could be ready for the challenge of an executive position. However, you will need to prepare for that shift.
Below are some of the qualities you should cultivate as you consider a move up in your company or seek out a senior position at a new organization:
Mindset
You have likely heard of the growth mindset vs. fixed mindset. Research has shown that individuals with a growth mindset perform better because they remain open to new ideas and approaches, which leads to better problem-solving skills.
Recent research from Harvard Business has taken that idea a step further by identifying additional mindset styles that lead to success. They are:
Learning mindset (vs. performance). In short, leaders who focus more on learning and expanding one’s capabilities succeed more than leaders who place more emphasis on external performance judgements.
Deliberative mindset (vs. implemental). Those with a deliberative mindset remain open to new information and ideas, while those with an implemental approach rush to apply one solution without necessarily vetting it fully.
Promotion mindset (vs. prevention). People who focus on promotion tend to move ideas forward and seek new ways to achieve goals, while those in prevention mode tend to avoid problems in an effort to minimize losses.
As you prepare to move into a senior role, take time to understand your personal mindset. Do you tend to operate in growth mode with a positive attitude and belief in a favorable outcome? If so, you have a better chance of succeeding in a leadership role. If not, working with an executive coach can help you cultivate a healthier mindset that will set you up to thrive as a company leader.
Strategic thinking
If you are a “doer” in your current role, you will need to develop a new approach to your work. While your past success might have hinged on creating or producing, as a senior leader you will need to expand your view beyond the scope of individual projects.
You will need to set a strategy for your team and then delegate to help them achieve bigger-picture goals. In a senior role, you will need to let go of the impulse to do it yourself. Trust your team and rely on them to complete the work. You, in turn, must focus on how to lead a team effectively and equip your people with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
According to this Forbes contributor, all leaders should work on strategic thinking skills. He writes:
“According to multiple studies, people said strategic thinking was the leadership quality that correlated best with perceptions of ‘success’ and ‘effectiveness’ in the workplace — far more so even than communication skills and innovation. In other words, employees respect and value leaders who are mindful of the future and always seem prepared for it.”
Leaders focused on strategy, he says, prepare their teams for both opportunities and crises. They stay in proactive mode (growth mindset) rather than reactive mode. When challenges arise, they have a plan ready and the confidence to execute it.
Relationships
The nuances of relationship-building come to an even finer point in an executive role. As a company leader, you have the opportunity to help inform the organizational culture and inspire employees.
When it comes to work relationships, the most effective leaders know how to:
Lead by example
Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity that allows everyone to share ideas
Respect the knowledge and skills of their people
Recognize and acknowledge quality work
Address conflict in a way that builds rapport
Engage in conversation with people, rather than dictation
Listen
Demonstrate empathy
People will naturally follow a leader who focuses on building rather than tearing down. Before you move into a senior role, consider the kind of leader you want to be. You can begin to develop your leadership style while in your current role so that you are fully ready for the challenge when the opportunity arises.
Are you ready to develop your leadership skills and move to a senior level role? Contact me for a free strategy call. I specialize in helping top performers advance their careers and succeed in executive roles.