Don't Sweat It: Why Transitioning into a Leadership Role Doesn't Have to Be a Challenge

At some point in your career, you may find yourself in a situation where you've been given the opportunity to "step up", whether that means an opportunity is presented – or pursued.

But whatever the case may be, if you've accepted the offer and have stepped up to the plate, what next?

If you haven't given considerable thought to how you will move forward, you might hinder your success. That's why Donna Ragan, Audit Director, Global Compliance and AML at TD, put together a plan of action when she was presented with the opportunity to step up in her career.

Here's Donna's story:

Following her director's departure, Donna received an expanded mandate to lead the Global Compliance Audit Team – an opportunity she was well positioned and prepared for, even before the announcement was made.  

"I had spoken with my director previously about having more stretch opportunities, like stepping in to lead the team and some initiatives," said Donna.

It came as no surprise to me that Donna had sought out opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills; from visiting the team in the US, I could see her capability and potential first-hand and recognized her suitability for a leadership role early on.

But along with taking on a new role, Donna was also about to enter a period of uncertainty – one she was responsible for navigating herself and her (new) team through. Nevertheless, with a plan in place, Donna was able to take on the task comfortably.

Embrace change.

Advancing in your career is synonymous with change; you can't have one without the other. But instead of seeing change as a disruption, approach it as an opportunity – a viewpoint Donna adopted early on.

"I started thinking about how to lead the team through the change and really focused on the 'how'," she said. "I remained positive and focused and really thought about what I would expect from my leader in the same situation."

In addition, Donna ensured she was as transparent, communicative and receptive as possible.

"The team needed to understand the vision, where we were headed and the 'why'," she explained. "I think when people understand 'why' they will come along on the journey with you because they know the destination."

Stay sharp.

While you may have moved into a leadership position, that doesn't mean you no longer need to hone your expertise. In fact, Donna found it to be the perfect opportunity to do just that.

"I've always led a team – although smaller – so it was just a matter of tapping into my existing skill set and then continuing to learn and educate myself," she explained.

Because TD provides access to professional development opportunities to help every colleague build their personal development plans and achieve their career goals, Donna was able to participate in various leadership programs across the bank.

"I also worked with an executive coach to really refine my vision and understand how to be more effective in my role," she said.

Accept support.

Great leaders know a lot of things – including when they need guidance. And being a new leader herself, Donna was more than happy to receive support should she need it.

"I was definitely supported during the transition," she said. "From providing feedback on my vision and having conversations about stepping outside the box, to being challenged to push the limits – the support of my leaders and peers was instrumental to my success."

So, if you've been given an opportunity to step up, focus on what you need to do to take your journey to the next level and ultimately, make it a success. After all, this is your time to shine.

Have you recently stepped into a leadership role? Share your experience and advice in the comments below!