Have you just been promoted to a leadership position within your company, or perhaps you’re gunning for that manager or director role, ready to elevate your career to the next level? Whatever the case, if you aspire to take on a leadership role in your organization, you need to prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Heavy is the head that wears the leadership crown, and all that jazz – it’s not to scare you, but to remind you of the responsibility that comes with a bigger paycheck and more autonomy at work.
This article will cover how someone who is looking to step into a position of leadership can best prepare themselves to do the job. We’ll share everything that you need to know about this important topic, so that you can be the best leader out there. So, read on to learn more.
Take on Further Study, Certifications, or Degrees
For many people, engaging in further formal study by obtaining additional qualifications is a great way to learn more, upskill, and find higher-paying jobs, including leadership roles. Further study is also an excellent way to prepare for an in-house promotion to a leadership role. Whether it’s short courses and modules online or pursuing advanced qualifications like an MBA, Master’s in Organizational Leadership, or DNP FNP programs, further study is an excellent career move and a valuable thing to do to prepare yourself for the demands of a leadership position.
If you’re not in a typical white collar office job, there are still probably equivalent postgraduate qualifications you can obtain, such as a Master’s in your chosen field, whether that’s research or teaching. Again, such qualifications in this instance are a great way to progress your career. It’s a proven fact that those with more qualifications earn more and can progress up the hierarchy quicker than those without further education.
The bonus to this is that the valuable skills and knowledge you gain through further study can give you a standout edge in the already competitive job market, if you’re looking externally for a leadership role. You will demonstrate to potential employers that you’re worth their investment and can lead their teams. And if you’re already employed, some businesses will give you time off to study, as it will benefit their bottom line if you perform better due to upskilling. By engaging in further study, you’re demonstrating your commitment to learning and self-improvement, which will impress most managers and might help you land that promotion to management that you’re aiming for.
Microlearning to Level Up Leadership Skills
If you don’t have the time or money to dedicate to formal, years-long qualifications, there are some viable alternatives to help you upskill. For instance, there is a relatively new phenomenon that has emerged in recent years called microlearning. Often offered online or via applications, this is a novel way of learning that condenses valuable skills and knowledge into smaller chunks that you can learn in stages over time. There may be some microlearning relevant to embarking on leadership positions that you can check out.
There is even some research to suggest that learning small pieces of information over time has benefits for long-term memory and skills development, so this could be a vital strategy that you can engage in to progress your career in a leadership role. Engaging in learning will also demonstrate your commitment, tenacity, willingness to learn, drive, and ambition to your employer, who might take notice and reward you with a promotion or increased responsibilities as you’re hoping for.
Communicate Like a Leader
As you prepare for a leadership role, it’s vital that you communicate like a leader. Your communications, whether written or verbal, should be clear, concise, and to the point. You also need to be warm, approachable, and friendly, unless it’s a disciplinary matter, in which case you still need to be courteous and professional. Avoid using vague language like beginning with “I think …” or “If you agree, maybe we could …” These phrases may appear circumspect or collaborative and collegiate, but they can actually indicate a lack of confidence or decisiveness, which you absolutely need to display as a future leader.
Also, make sure to be cautious and mindful of your tone and body language, as these can be just as important as the words you choose. You don’t want to seem cold and dispassionate, but also need to convey some authority. And as a bonus tip, here’s one of the most important ways to communicate like a leader: ensure that you listen to others before speaking, allow people space to express their views and position, and always take their feedback into consideration. Your active listening skills will help you build relationships in the workplace and demonstrate your openness to collaboration with colleagues.
Find a Mentor
Those looking to prepare for a leadership role within their workplace should seriously consider finding a mentor, either within their company or externally, who can provide some choice and critical career advice and ongoing guidance. A mentor is often a senior leader in your chosen sector who can find the time to meet with you over coffee, offer you some critical insights into their personal career pathway, and dole out some excellent nuggets of wisdom that you can utilize to upskill.
Mentors often find this role rewarding and often had mentors themselves when they were younger. Finding a committed, senior, and friendly mentor can be an excellent way to upskill and climb the corporate ladder. It can also help you gain crucial leadership skills that you can leverage to position yourself as a leader of the future.
Aiming for a Leadership Role? Flag it with Your Boss
This is a great tip for those angling for a management role. If you have a positive and open relationship with your immediate supervisor at work, it’s worth mentioning to them that you want to progress your career within the organization. Annual performance review periods are a great time to mention this, especially if you have just received glowing feedback. A good manager will want to see their junior staff progress in their roles, develop their careers, and climb the ranks of the company.
A great manager might even sit down with you and sketch out a pathway to a promotion, outlining some key goals to work towards or some areas of professional development for you to hone. For example, they could identify a few key development points that you can focus on to develop the necessary skills and experience to go for a promotion. This is a great way you can upskill at work in your current role, if your supervisor is open to the progress.
Photo by Jason Goodman; Unsplash
