Transitioning to new role/leadership

May 17, 2019 10:34 AM

In about a month, I'll be starting a new job that will require both subject matter expertise and management/leadership skills that I will need to grow into, in some respects. I'm very excited about the job and the fresh start. I'd be grateful for resources you've found helpful in making similar transitions, particularly in law/finance/business.

I've done well at my current job, but as an "individual contributor" and I went on autopilot a while ago. I will move to an analogous role at a different employer, but as in a highly visible (and more demanding) capacity as a team leader. And while the roles are analogous, there are some significant technical areas that I will have to relearn or learn that were not relevant to my current role.

I've been doing some refreshers on the technical stuff, and developing a mindfulness practice to help me keep my head on straight when things come up that I don't know. I'm not sure what resources will be the most helpful to transition from an individual contributor to sort of "thought leader" at the new employer. I plan on finding a mentor at the new firm, as well--which will be a first for me.

If you made a similar transition, what books/practices helped you? Did you get a coach? Again, this is a business role, to the extent that it influences your answers. Also, the new role is along the lines of a VP level role, not a C suite role.

posted by 5845(f)(1)(D) to Work & Money (5 answers total)

It's tech-focused and assumes an engineering org chart, but the standard book recommendation for new engineering managers these days is The Manager's Path by Camille Fournier. Quite a lot of the material can be found scattered around the web as blog posts. You may also find the engineering managers slack useful. Again, many conversations there assume an engineering org chart, but everyone is super smart and experienced.
posted by caek at 10:46 AM on May 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

I've had "The first 90 days" recommended in this context. I found it too business-y for my industry, but sounds like it might work for you.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 11:02 AM on May 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

Get good at making presentations. Or at least, identify a staff member under you that excels at this to delegate the task to. You will meet a lot of new people who will judge you on the quality of your PowerPoints/Videos/Prezis, etc.
posted by caveatz at 11:06 AM on May 17, 2019

I employed the strategy described in this short blog post when I moved into a nebulously defined director/VP-level individual contributor role, and I found it extremely useful for getting to know people in the org and what was on their minds. That turned into stronger relationships as I was able to identify some quick/easy projects where I could make a big impact in the first 60-90 days.
posted by asphericalcow at 11:48 AM on May 17, 2019 [3 favorites]

The First 90 Days and the poorly named Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For were the books I read when I went from SAHM to director/vp level. I'd been an individual contributor before having kids and had only ever had to manage interns before. Also Ask A Manager is often recommended, as well as the Manager Tools podcast, though I can only take that in small doses.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 5:41 PM on May 17, 2019