What are the most important things to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role?

1 Develop your vision

One of the first things to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to develop your vision for how IT Operations can support and enable the business strategy. You need to have a clear understanding of the current state of the IT Operations, the gaps and issues that need to be addressed, and the desired future state that can deliver value and competitive advantage. You also need to communicate your vision effectively to your team, your peers, your senior management, and your customers. Your vision should be inspiring, realistic, and measurable.

2 Expand your skills

Another thing to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to expand your skills beyond your technical expertise. As a senior IT Operations leader, you will need to demonstrate skills such as strategic thinking, business acumen, financial management, project management, change management, and risk management. You will also need to develop your soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, leadership, coaching, and emotional intelligence. You can expand your skills by taking courses, certifications, mentoring programs, or learning from other senior IT Operations leaders.

3 Build your network

A third thing to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to build your network within and outside your organization. Your network can help you gain insights, feedback, support, and opportunities for your IT Operations career. You can build your network by attending events, joining communities, participating in forums, or reaching out to people who share your interests and goals. You can also leverage your network to showcase your achievements, share your challenges, and seek advice from experts and peers.

4 Embrace innovation

A fourth thing to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to embrace innovation and foster a culture of experimentation and learning in your IT Operations team. Innovation is essential for IT Operations to keep up with the changing needs and expectations of the business and the customers. You can embrace innovation by adopting new technologies, methodologies, and best practices that can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and agility of the IT Operations. You can also encourage your team to explore new ideas, test new solutions, and learn from failures.

5 Seek feedback

A fifth thing to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to seek feedback from various sources and use it to improve your performance and development. Feedback can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as a senior IT Operations leader. You can seek feedback from your team, your peers, your senior management, your customers, and your mentors. You can also use tools such as surveys, assessments, or 360-degree reviews to gather feedback. You should be open, receptive, and appreciative of the feedback and act on it accordingly.

6 Plan your career

A sixth thing to do when preparing for a senior IT Operations leadership role is to plan your career and set your goals and milestones. You need to have a clear vision of where you want to go, what you want to achieve, and how you will get there. You also need to monitor your progress and evaluate your results regularly. You can plan your career by using tools such as SMART goals, SWOT analysis, or career maps. You can also seek guidance from your mentors, coaches, or career counselors.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?