Page 100 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

Entering Your Boss’s World 85

and build the impression of your value to your boss and organization. In
Chapter 4 we turn our attention to one of the first elements necessary for
having an impact on the organization: selecting, building, and developing
your team.

Quick Reminders to Keep You on Track
■ Most likely, the primary reason you were promoted was your boss’s need
to have someone to count on for a major area of responsibility. When
you succeed, your boss succeeds.
■ You won’t be completely free to do as you wish; your decisions must fit
into your boss’s plans, goals, and style.
■ Take time to assess each situation and evaluate your choice of solutions.
A premature assessment or diagnosis of your situation may cause you to
contradict yourself later, or it may result in embarrassment to you and
your boss.
■ Recall the example of William, the newly appointed director of a large
mass transit authority. Your self-interest is linked to your boss’s self-
interest. Remember the reason you were hired.
■ In your discussions with your boss before you were hired, you should
have clarified your role and your boss’s expectations of you. Under-
standing your role is critical to your success.
■ It is important to contract with your boss or bosses. In doing so, two Just
Promoted Leader Tools are especially helpful: Confirming Your
Appointment Charter and Your 12-Month Road Map.
■ Even though you think you understand your boss’s expectations in
general, don’t assume that you have his or her mandate to take a
particular action.
■ Remember that you and your boss agreed about the pace of your work
during your transition period. Provide your boss with updates on your
progress as a reminder that you are achieving your mutually agreed
upon goals.
■ Make sure you have defined the “bottom line” with your boss. What is
his or her measure of success?
■ As we saw in one example, Lu helped Marsha be a star by discussing
organizational issues with her and agreeing on decisions, by following
through on the decisions that her boss supported and “reselling” those