The difference between excitement and fear is in one emotional state, you are breathing, and in the other, you are not. Being newly promoted shares these qualities. While it is exciting, it carries new responsibilities, expectations, relationships and rules of engagement. If we lack self-awareness, humility, and curiosity, we will no doubt make errors; these are some reminders we can use to navigate our new world.
- Be sensitive: Some people are going to be excited about the promotion. Others are going through a grieving process. Perhaps some wanted the role and did not get the role. Some are missing the person who was in that role. Others are concerned about how their world is going to change. Assuming everyone is celebrating is going to be interpreted as us lacking emotional intelligence.
- Stay curious: Breathe. Reminding ourselves there is a lot to learn about the new responsibilities, expectations, relationships and rules of engagement. It is going to take time. Keep asking questions of the new team. Be curious about them as people and as colleagues. Asking questions that start with what and how are important in gaining a deep understanding of all that is required in the new role. Mindfulness is an excellent skill to learn about and cultivate because it allows us to notice when we begin to feel overwhelmed or fatigued. Once we notice, we can take action to care for ourselves, like stepping away from our work or reminding ourselves it will take time for us to learn this new terrain.
- Notice the imposter phenomenon: Returning to being a novice is uncomfortable when we have been in a role we know well. The imposter phenomenon will show up. We can begin to feel insecure, comparing ourselves to others and forgetting our own accomplishments. Reminding ourselves of what we have accomplished to get to where we are today is essential. As well as reminding ourselves there was a good reason we were selected for this role. Understanding how comparison is a sure way to ruin a great day will support us in staying present instead of being stuck in our heads, wasting precious energy and time.
- Get a coach: Having someone trained to listen to us as the expert in our lives is incredibly valuable, allowing us to think critically about the challenges we face, create solutions, and enable new perspectives to emerge. It is imperative as leaders that we have coaches that give us direct feedback; otherwise the danger is we become surrounded by “yes” people or by individuals guiding us who have hidden agendas, whether harmful or not. The research shows the benefits of coaching far outweigh the financial cost and time commitment. Increasing our communication skills, self-awareness, and productivity in the most effective and efficient way possible is essential to our success.
- Maintain bridges while building bridges: Remembering the colleagues we are leaving behind is important. No one has been successful without the support of others. Keep in contact. Thank them. So many leaders vanish from their previous teams/circles, leaving those they left behind amused or hurt by the swiftness with which professional circles morph. We are not only managing our brands in the new role, we are also managing our brand in our previous role. “It is our final moments that define our finest moments” (unknown).
- Be generous: Perception is reality. Being generous in how we interpret the actions of others will reap benefits that far outweigh the alternative of judging everyone’s responses as being personal. It is undoubtedly a characteristic of being human, yet the greatest characteristic of living is impersonal.
Getting promoted is validating; our work and who we are is being acknowledged. Taking an evening to celebrate with our families and close friends is in order. However, we should consider we are celebrating the completion of something. Celebrating what got us here to this new opportunity.
So, congratulations, may the next six months be navigated with humility, courage, and curiosity.
