Page 81 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

66 Just Promoted!

gets passed on to people you didn’t necessarily intend to hear it. Offhand and
often innocent remarks may come back to haunt you. The successful leader
learns not to talk critically about people and personalities, not to comment on
issues of no direct concern to him or her, and to describe decisions and issues
in objective, problem-solving terms (“the program did not achieve its objec-
tive”) rather than in the subjective vocabulary of personalities and people
(“Robert failed”).
An organization’s economics contains its own icebergs. Until you see your
budget, know how it was spent, and know how it was managed and what you
have to work with, you won’t fully appreciate your position. Where do the sales
come from? Who are the buyers? Who are the clients? Who uses what your
department does? What is the market? What do they buy from you? How are
financial decisions made? Whose approval do you need at what points?

Quick Reminders to Keep You on Track

■ As you assume your new position and begin to meet people, you make a
first impression only one time! Reach out, be personable, and make con-
tact with everyone in your new function as only you can.
■ As you begin your new management job, you’ll frequently run into a
wide range of expectations, including hope, resentment, confusion,
and concern.
■ There are six major steps to keep in mind as you enter your new man-
agement job and organization:

1. Make a good first impression during your first meetings with your
new staff. Immediately begin to connect with people on a personal
level and build support.
■ Expect a wide variety of feelings regarding your appointment,
ranging from optimism and relief to concern, disappointment,
resentment, and confusion.
■ Initially, you will likely have a fragile base of influence and power
that will need to be strengthened through credible work and posi-
tive relationships.
■ Hold an initial brief but very upbeat meeting with your new
organization.
■ Spend a lot of one-on-one time with people.