CAREER TRANSITIONS-- Describe your Success!!

LOSS OF TRUSTED SUPPORTERS CAN HINDER A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION

Are you feeling isolated and disconnected from the people you know you can trust to give you good advice?  Many of the managers and leaders in transition that I work with freely describe a feeling that they have lost their support network.  Actually, they are correct: in many transitional situations you no longer have easy access to those people you have always known and trusted.

Thanks to the internet, you now have the world quite literally at your fingertips.  Consider using blogs such as this one to reach out and keep in touch.  In addition to the content articles, it would be valuable for readers to tell their stories.

Many executives who have contacted me have interesting stories about how they moved into a new field, brought new life to a formerly disheartened group or won over the loyalites of a team that tried to reject them initially.

We learn from each other's stories.  Here is the place to share and help others that might be in the same position you were in at one time.

Take a moment now to describe what you have achieved--you will find it cathartic.  By simply organizing your thoughts and thus reviewing your experiences you will not only find a release but a new respect, pride and energy for your work.  In addition, you will find some of the words, expressions and descriptions you create in this effort will be of value to you when you are introducing yourself and seeking to establish new career relationships.

See what happens when you try to answer this question: "What barriers did you have to face before you successfully transitioned into your current management job?"   

Comments

[Dave K.]

I have been employed for the same large pharmaceutical company for the past eighteen years as a member of the labor force. Two years ago, I was promoted to site supervisor for the maintenance department.
Many of the individuals that I am currently supervising have known me as peer, working among them. I needed to create and develop a comfortable environment for the workers to feel they are part of a team but be able to respect my new position of authority. I currently have a positive and successful relationship as a supervisor with the individuals I am currently managing.

[L. Maddalena]

Hi Dave! Your situation is a very common one and I hope our readers take a minute to write their own stories for you to share. What is most positive about the situation you described is that you are continuing to work as part of a team. Because good teamwork is based on trust, you have already established the most valuable aspect of leadership. Your goal now is to build on that trust and show through your actions how you can guide the indivdual's performance to not only meet the department's objectives, but their personal objectives. To accomplish this it is important that during your one-to-one meetings you ask two questions. The first and probably most useful question you can ask is quite simple: "How am I doing"--this open question helps others provide the feedback you need to continue to succeed. Listen carefully to the words they choose and watch the nonverbal signals. If you have any questions about what they are discussing, be certain to ask in a manner that does not sound defensive or guarded.

Following that exchange, invite them to share their self-perception: "How are you doing? Are you meeting you own goals and objectives; are you where you want to be in your career?" Choose your own phrasing when you ask this type of question, allowing them to address the topic from whatever perspective they choose. Again, listen carefully to what they say and how they say it. Restate what you think you hear to be certain you have the correct understanding of their concerns. It is most important that you remember this conversation and raise the issues introduced at your next meeting. Taking the time to follow-up on specific topics or general impressions says a great deal about you and continues to build the trust, rapport and empathy that are hallmarks of a good leader.

Dave, you are on the right trail. Keep going. Best wishes for your continued success.

If anyone has a story to share with Dave, please add your comment! -- Happy Holidays to all, Lucille Maddalena