The document provides strategies for successful leadership role transitions, emphasizing the importance of planning and clear communication. Key strategies include developing a 120-day plan, actively listening to stakeholders, and ensuring clarity of direction. The author highlights that effective transitions can prevent leadership failures and benefit overall business performance.

1. ELECTRONICALLY REPRINTED FROM MAY 2011
®
INSIGHT. ADVICE. STRATEGY: PITTSBURGH
__ Leslie W. Braksick, Ph.D.
ROLE PLAY
How to ensure success during a leadership role transition
M a nY leaders will change
their roles and/or
companies in the years to come -
create momentum for business
performance.
People want to hear your
You'll need to change the people
- or replace the people. Transitions
provide an opportunity to assess and
and statistics indicate that over half expectations for the business and grow existing talent, to realign the
of those leaders will fail in their new where you want to take it. Make talent you have or to bring in new
assignments. But leadership transition certain everyone knows what success people. Prioritize cultivating a winning
failures can be avoided if success is looks like and what results and leadership team - they are a reflec-
engineered from the outset. Below are behaviors are most important to tionofyou.
10 top strategies to ensure a leader's succeed. Keep people's heads in the
success in his or her new role. game by helping them focus on the 9. Manage your work-life balance.
business first. During leadership transitions, your
1. Develop a (fit.for· work and personal life will be out-of-
purpose) 12o-day 5. Follow through on your whack. Plan for this. Communicate
transition plan. commitments. openly about this "transition season"
Failure to plan is to Leaders want to be seen as making with your family and closest friends,
plan for failure. In the first decisions and taking action. Resist and when you are with them, make
several months, your time making commitments early on. If a that time count - focus only on them.
is stretched. Take the time leader fails to follow through, the
to think through what seeds of skepticism and distrust are 10. Ensure you have a trusted and
you need to learn, whom planted. For commitments you do caring source of feedback and
you must get to know and make, write them down and enlist support.
what needs to be done support in tracking and fulfilling them. There is no substitute for having a
with high/mediumJlow trusted professional with whom you
priority. Document your 6. Actively listen and communicate can talk offline, seek counsel, test
plan and follow it. often. ideas and get feedback at all times,
Leadership effectiveness is rooted on any issue. Many leaders rely on an
2. Accelerate your in communicating well and often. executive coach, trusted adviser or
understanding of Don't leave this to chance - always mentor to assist as they navigate new
the business and be clear through well-thought-out waters in their new role. This is not a
organization. communications, both formal and time for heroism and going it alone.
As part of your transition informal.
plan, decide what you Managing through leadership transi-
need to learn and from whom and 7. Model the teamwork you seek tions from one job to another, or one
schedule meetings with them ahead from others. company to another, requires careful
of others. Put an emphasis on reading, Take advantage of your newness leadership behaviors and behavioral
listening and learning, and absorb as to role model collaboration, trust, management. This benefits you, your
much as possible. openness and support for one another. employees and shareholders. Use
Enhance the working relationships the top 10 strategies to ensure your
3. Connect meaningfully with key among existing team members and success. «
stakeholders. departments.
Meet with key people during your
earliest days. Ask their observations 8. Ensure you have a winning
on key issues. Be a superb listener. team.
Take notes. Answer their questions.
Give them the chance to know you
better. Through your words and LESLIE W. BRAKSICK, PH.D .. is the co-founder of CLG tnc. (www.clg.com) and author of
actions, show you care. "Preparing CEOs for Success: What I Wish I Knew" (2010) and "Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits"
(2006). Braksick coaches and consults with top executives and their boards on issues of leadership
4. Ensure clarity of direction; effectiveness, succession and strategy execution. She can be reached at Ibraksick@clg.com.
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