Demonstrating Leadership from Day One

Welcome to the third edition of this biweekly newsletter series, "Career Insights for Executives ," where I'll share in-depth analyses, emerging trends, and actionable insights tailored for today's professionals. This series is designed to guide you through the evolving landscape of recruitment and career development, helping you connect with opportunities in innovative and effective ways.

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Demonstrating Leadership from Day One

Identifying and showcasing leadership qualities early in one's career is crucial for those aiming to ascend the corporate ladder, especially in high-stakes environments like Wall Street. This episode of my newsletter guides young professionals on how to recognize and highlight these critical traits to set the stage for future leadership roles.

Recognizing Leadership Potential:        

According to insights from a Forbes Human Resources Council article , certain characteristics are indicative of early-career leadership potential:

Courage, Vulnerability, and Determination: Leaders exhibit courage by taking risks and making tough decisions, vulnerability by being open to feedback and admitting mistakes, and determination by persisting through challenges. Demonstrating these traits can indicate strong leadership potential and readiness for growth. Highlight instances where you've shown courage, vulnerability, or determination in your professional journey.

Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn: Leaders possess an innate drive to understand and explore new concepts. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and an openness to diverse experiences can signal strong leadership potential.

Resilience and Growth Mindset: The ability to recover from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth is essential for leadership. Showcasing resilience can differentiate you as someone prepared for the unpredictability of the financial markets.

Initiative and Ownership: Taking on responsibilities beyond your job description and proactively tackling challenges showcases your readiness to lead. Highlight instances where you’ve led projects or initiatives, even informally.

Emotional Intelligence: The capacity to be cognizant of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically is invaluable. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can foster strong teams and maintain client relationships effectively.

Ethical Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrating integrity and the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams is crucial. Ethical leaders inspire trust and loyalty, which are critical for long-term success on Wall Street.

Strategies to Showcase Leadership Early in Your Career:        

1. Engage in High-Visibility Projects: Seek out projects that allow you to work cross-functionally or that are strategic to the organization. These opportunities provide visibility to senior management and a chance to demonstrate your capability to handle complex tasks.
2. Cultivate a Mentorship Mindset: Act as a mentor or coach within your team. Sharing knowledge and guiding others not only positions you as a leader but also enriches your learning through teaching.
3. Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills: Leaders are expected to propose solutions, not just identify problems. When faced with challenges, present well-thought-out solutions to demonstrate your analytical and decision-making skills.
4. Use Assessments to Your Advantage: Utilize tools like the Hogan assessments to gain insights into your leadership style and areas for development. Share these findings in developmental discussions to show your commitment to self-improvement.
5. Build and Leverage Your Network: Establish connections within and outside the organization. References from respected peers, clients, or mentors can validate your leadership potential and character to prospective employers or promotions committees.

What to Avoid?        

1. Lack of Transparency: Failing to communicate openly and honestly can undermine trust and credibility.
2. Micromanagement: Overly controlling every detail can decrease team creativity and growth.
3. Ignoring Feedback: Dismissing or not seeking feedback can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.
4. Inflexibility: Being resistant to change can hinder adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
5. Neglecting Team Development: Focusing solely on personal success without investing in team development can limit overall effectiveness.
6. Poor Decision-Making: Making impulsive or poorly thought-out decisions can damage reputation and outcomes.
7. Lack of Vision: Failing to articulate and pursue a clear vision can result in a lack of direction and motivation.

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Conclusion:

For those early in their careers on Wall Street, showcasing leadership potential is about more than ambition—it requires a deliberate approach to personal and professional development. By understanding and cultivating key leadership qualities, professionals can effectively position themselves as future leaders in the demanding world of finance.

?About the Author

Elisabetta Bartoloni is a partner in the Heidrick & Struggles’ New York office and the Americas Global Markets Practice sector leader. She also co-chairs the firm’s Americas Women Inclusion Network (WIN). Previously, she led the Americas Investment & Corporate Banking Practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in executive search.

At Heidrick, she blends industry expertise with a keen understanding of corporate dynamics, making her work a fusion of skill and art. Elisabetta’s executive search and advisory practice spans from managing directors to functional roles, including CEO and board positions across investment banking, global and capital markets, and asset management. In addition to working with global financial institutions, Elisabetta has worked extensively with boutique and middle market investment banks and other investment management and fintech companies.

As a strong advocate for DE&I, Elisabetta serves on the Board of Girls with Impact, and is a Mentor of the 30% Club driving positive change within the industry. Her exceptional leadership was recognized in 2014 when she was named the “National Association of Professional Women VIP Woman of The Year.” Her insights on DE&I and hiring trends are frequently sought after, with appearances in prestigious publications such as Forbes magazine, where she is a member and contributor to their Human Resources Council and is recognized as the Top Career Development Voice on Linkedin.

Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Elisabetta was a managing director at Westwood Partners focusing on investment banking and asset management in the Americas and responsible for the firm’s Latin America executive search practice. Before joining Westwood, Elisabetta was a director at J.H. McCann & Company, a boutique executive search firm exclusively serving the financial services industry and a senior associate in the global financial services practice of another global executive search firm. Elisabetta began her career in the financial services industry, having worked as a data research analyst in investment banking at Goldman Sachs.

Elisabetta's academic journey began at the University of Florence in Italy, where she earned both her Master’s Degree and Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She furthered her education with meritorious scholarships at the University of Reading and New York University, honing her skills and paving the way for her remarkable career.

What's Next? Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we'll go deeper into Career Success Insights for Executives. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or topics you'd like us to cover in future newsletters!

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Keep thriving,

Elisabetta