How can you move from a process design role to a leadership position?

Stepping into a leadership role for the first time isn’t easy. It’s a big shift. Leaders can consistently lead others by supporting people to grow by pursuing goals that stretch their skills, collaborating & fostering collaboration, opening doors of opportunity for others, and a commitment for becoming better leaders. Most first-time leaders think that stepping into a leadership role is graduation. The truth is, it’s the start of a journey. As a leader, they must understand what the employees want holistically and can adapt to their needs. Employees are not in leadership because they have all the answers; rather they are going to help solve problems. Eventually, after a couple of years of leading others, it will naturally be bestowed.

En mi experiencia algo primordial es la solución de problemas y su gestion, una persona que soluciona se convierte en un colaborador valioso y se le pueden confiar cada vez mas responsabilidades, sin embargo, es visible que dicha habilidad requiere de experiencia previa, conocimientos tecnicos y habilidades blandas.

While assessing skills, think about how your current skills need to be adapted to a bigger sphere of influence. A big gap that process design specialists have is in strategic business acumen. We tend to be very good at understanding the financial impacts at the process or single value stream level, but not how it ties into the bigger picture. Learn how to tell stories at a higher level that impacts multiple departments, divisions or even the whole company. Learn how to apply your design team leadership experience to a team of direct reports. Influence skills help dramatically with direct reports.

Expanding your network and visibility in a leadership role is crucial for personal and organizational growth. It's about building relationships both within and outside your company. Start by engaging more deeply with your current network. Networking is not just about collecting contacts; it's about cultivating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. Be genuine in your interactions and look for ways to add value to others. As you expand your network, you open doors to new ideas, opportunities, and collaborations that can significantly impact your leadership journey.

If you can only read one book and take one assessment make it Strengths Based Leadership by Gallup. Regardless of your emerging leadership style, learning how to apply the strengths of your people will be key to your success. If you can read one more book make it Crucial Conversations. This will give you guidance on how to handle the tough conversations you will need to have as a leader. Next up, become reacquainted with Deming and Lean leadership principles. Respect people, measure everything, lead graciously.

Leadership is a never ending story, and defining your style could take years of work. Every employee and team is different and you need to adapt yourself to the environment that you have in front of you. For me there is some golden rules that you need to have in mind so you can be successful in a leadership. This are for me the 4 main words Respect, Empathy, Trust and Resilience for a successful leadership mindset. Coming from a process oriented role maybe could be tricky to change the mindset but without this in mind will be struggling in obtaining what you want through the others.

I learned the importance of feedback and mentorship. Regularly seeking feedback from peers and superiors provided insights into my performance and areas for improvement. I also connected with a mentor, whose guidance was instrumental in navigating complex workplace dynamics and developing strategic thinking skills. This journey taught me that leadership isn't just about leading projects but also about personal growth, understanding others' perspectives, and being open to continuous learning. Feedback and guidance are essential tools for anyone aspiring to move into a leadership role, offering a clearer path for personal and professional development.

Another seemingly obvious move is to actually let your manager know your goal and intentions of making the move. Talk to them openly about it and actually ask for it when the time is right. You can take on all the responsibility you want, but without asking you will never receive.

Moving from a process design role to a leadership position requires proactive steps and strategic planning. Exploring opportunities within and outside your current organization broadens your options. Updating your professional materials and networking effectively are essential in positioning yourself for success. Additionally, staying adaptable to various pathways, whether it's through promotions, lateral moves, or external opportunities, enhances your chances of achieving your career goals. Flexibility and persistence are key as you navigate this transition.