BAUU 52 - How to Prepare for and Succeed in Leadership Roles
Rick Yvanovich FCMA CGMA FCPA MSc CCMP CCMC CBC MCH PCC
Certified Chief Master coach, entrepreneur, author, and speaker | Bridging technology, accounting, and people, I’m a catalyst inspiring human transformation for consistently higher achievement.
Welcome back to the Business As UnUsual (BAUU) TL;DR solutions for leaders. This edition focuses on the transition into leadership roles—a pivotal career moment filled with both opportunities and challenges.
Becoming a leader isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about inspiring people, making strategic decisions, and balancing expectations. In this edition, we’ll explore how to prepare effectively for leadership roles and the skills needed to thrive once you’re there.
The format is:
"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another." — John C. Maxwell
Problem
Stepping into a leadership role is often met with excitement but also uncertainty. Many professionals feel unprepared for transitioning from being an individual contributor to leading a team.
Common challenges include:
Without proper preparation, new leaders risk falling into micromanagement, decision paralysis, or overwhelm—ultimately impacting team morale and performance.
How can aspiring and new leaders equip themselves with the skills, mindset, and confidence to excel in leadership roles?
TL;DR Solution
Successful leadership starts with preparation. Follow the LEAD Framework to build the skills and mindset required to transition seamlessly into a leadership role and succeed.
Why LEAD? What Inspired This Framework?
The LEAD Framework is inspired by proven leadership philosophies while simplifying them into a practical, easy-to-apply guide for aspiring and new leaders.
Why LEAD Stands Out:
"The LEAD Framework doesn’t just tell you what a good leader looks like—it gives you the tools to become one." — Rick Yvanovich
The LEAD Framework Explained
The LEAD Framework addresses four core pillars of leadership readiness:
L = Learn Continuously
Inspiration: John Maxwell’s principle that "Leadership develops daily, not in a day."
Best Practice: Invest in your growth through reading, mentorship, and training.
Practice: Identify one leadership skill you want to improve each quarter.
Impact: Builds knowledge and confidence in handling leadership responsibilities.
E = Establish Trust
Inspiration: Patrick Lencioni’s emphasis on trust as the foundation of team health.
Best Practice: Be transparent and communicate openly with your team.
Practice: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members.
Impact: Fosters trust and creates a culture of psychological safety.
A = Adapt Your Mindset
Inspiration: Stephen Covey’s “Begin with the End in Mind” and Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.”
领英推荐
Best Practice: Shift from a task-focused mindset to a strategic leadership perspective.
Practice: Prioritise team success over individual performance metrics.
Impact: Enables clearer focus on long-term goals and big-picture thinking.
D = Delegate Effectively
Inspiration: Ken Blanchard’s The One Minute Manager and Jocko Willink’s Extreme Ownership.
Best Practice: Empower team members by assigning responsibilities aligned with their strengths.
Practice: Clearly define tasks, expectations, and ownership.
Impact: Prevents micromanagement and builds accountability within the team.
"The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." — Ralph Nader
Try This
1. Leadership Shadowing Program
Action: Spend time shadowing an experienced leader to observe their approach to decision-making, team communication, and conflict resolution.
Frequency: One month before starting your leadership role.
Impact: Provides real-world insights into leadership dynamics.
2. Build Your Leadership Development Plan
Action: Create a personalised plan outlining key leadership goals, skills to develop, and measurable milestones.
Frequency: Annually
Impact: Provides direction and accountability in your leadership journey.
3. Set Up Regular Feedback Loops
Action: Implement regular feedback sessions with your team and peers.
Frequency: Monthly
Impact: Builds trust, encourages open dialogue, and promotes continuous improvement.
"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." — Harvey S. Firestone
It’s a Wrap
That’s it for today, see you next week.
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As always, be happy, healthy, joyful, and wealthy.
/Rick
?? This edition aligns with Business As UnUsual: How to Thrive in the New Renaissance.
Get your copy for more on thriving in uncertainty here: https://www.rickyvanovich.com/books
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