YOUR 2018 – PREPARING FOR A NEW EXECUTIVE ROLE

Now that 2018 is finally here, you may be considering a job move. Or maybe you’ve already accepted an offer. Whatever your stage, here are some ideas to help you on the road to success.

1.   Prepare Yourself with Independent External Support

Engage a Transition Coach to support you in being successful in the new job. An independent advisor will not only ‘have your back’ but will help you gain pin-point clarity to take balanced action with your personal and professional goals. Also, with the help of psychometric testing, you can clearly establish where your strengths lie, what your key motivators are and what values you share with your new employer.

2.   Buy a Journal

For note taking, reflections, observations and creative ideas or doodles about yourself and the new environment.

 3.   Prepare Yourself Internally

YOU are the most important aspect of the new job and preparing yourself internally is vital. Managing your energy and engaging in self-care comes first. The four intertwined pillars of energy are: Physical, Emotional, Mental & Spiritual

Physical Energy

Physical Energy Management includes rituals like eating regular nutritious meals, cutting back on junk food and alcohol, drinking enough water, getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night, exercising at least 2-3 times a week, balancing bursts of physical energy with times of recovery. Physical exercise also positively impacts on emotional and mental energy.

Emotional Energy

To perform at your optimum in any new role, you must access positive emotions like experiencing enjoyment, challenge, adventure and opportunity. Strengthening our emotional energy involves using muscles like patience, empathy, confidence and enjoyment. Your family and friends bolster your emotional energy. The responsibilities of the new job need to fit in with your family commitments and your family life. Don’t ignore these responsibilities and pretend you can fit them in regardless. Chat with your family and agree on your weekly commitments and if additional supports need to be put in place for balance to prevail, organize these. Talk to your boss early about any timetable conflicts. Meditation, yoga and mindfulness are excellent tools for balancing emotional and mental energy too.

Mental Energy

Too often, we place a premium on using our mental energy to propel and sustain us in our new job. Relying on mental energy alone eventually brings us out of balance leading to burnout. Our mental energy does help us to organize our lives, focus our attention and set priorities in the new job. Visualization, written plans, positive self-talk, time management and creativity are all wonderful mental supports.

Spiritual Energy

When you connect to a deeply held set of values to a purpose beyond your own self-interest, you are engaging your spiritual energy muscles. The human spirit is capable of overcoming the greatest physical and emotional challenges because of the strength of our spiritual energy. It underpins our whole energy structure. Find your spiritual core and soar!

4.   Establish Your Mandate In the New Job

You would think this is the most straightforward part but sometimes the mandate changes from the interview stage to the start date. Ask Yourself: what does this new job require of me? What are the priorities?

Regularly, ask your boss to clarify your mandate. Once you know what’s expected of you, life becomes easier.

5.   Learn, Learn, Learn and Listen, Listen, Listen

When you’re onboarding, you’ll learn loads at your induction sessions. The learning curve of understanding the people and systems will be huge. Learning and Listening incorporate huge amounts of emotional and mental energy. If you’re moving to a new industry, start by learning about the external environment the company operates in and find out about the Industry, products and services, competitors and regulations & compliance.

Next, your learning will incorporate the internal company set up: Vision, culture, values, strategy, products, departments, operations, your boss, your team, your peers, your customers, your partners, other stakeholders, sponsors, associates. Attend one-on-ones, executive meetings, your team meetings, workshops, brain storming sessions, in-company social events – anything that helps you build a complete picture.

6.   Establish The Life Stage of the Company

What life stage is the company at? Is it start-up, turnaround, accelerated growth, re-alignment or sustaining growth. The strategy must match the stage.

7.   Map an Influence Network and Establish Key Alliances

Where does the influence lie? Often, it is not with the obvious people. Are there blocking forces?

 8.   Identify Early Wins

Find out where you can add value quickly in your new job. Is it using your competencies, market knowledge, contacts, experience, personality or all of the above? Much of your job will involve leading and empowering people on your team to succeed. Discover areas that are important to your new boss and stakeholders and demonstrate your value.

9.   Set out a 30, 60 and 90- day plan

As the jig-saw becomes clearer, set out your plans. Remember, it’s always better to under-promise and over-achieve!

10.  Celebrate Success

It will motivate you, your boss, your team.

Maura Jakksen Byrne is director of Your Business Smart Coach. Contact: maura@yourbusinesssmartcoach.net with any feedback or questions. www.yourbusinesssmartcoach.net

Recommended reading:

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

The First 90 Days, Proven Strategies for Getting up to Speed Faster and Smarter by Michael D. Watkins

Your First 100 Days in a New Executive Job by Robert Hargrove

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