How does it feel to get the job that you have dreamed of for so long?
Most people would say to other people that it is amazing and just like I hoped it would be. What they say in their head though, is that I hope I can keep it or what if I make mistakes and they demote me or let me go?
Climbing to higher roles in an organization brings a lot of additional responsibility, but it also brings added pressure. Can you trust those around you? What will you do to prove they made the right decision? How can you avoid failure? They say that it is lonely at the top for a reason. It takes time to acclimate yourself to this bigger role and you need to give yourself some grace as you learn. No one is perfect and you don’t have to be either, but it feels like you do. Even though it is an amazing thing that you got the role, you focus on playing not to lose vs. playing to win.
You can’t be successful when you are worrying about each and every thing that you do and how it will be perceived. You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to spend time being more strategic and planful. Ask yourself some of these questions…What do you think is right to do? Is the decision I am making the best one for the company? What type of impact could it have? What value could it bring? How can it be delivered successfully?
Notice the difference in the questions in these last two paragraphs.
The negative playing not to lose view vs the positive playing to win view. Focus on trusting yourself and doing what you think is right. You need to build relationships with others to get things done, but be strategic about it. Leverage your influence in a positive way and find ways to add value to others. It will bring more reciprocity your way and help you succeed. Communicate what you and your team are doing so others know and can see the great work you are doing. This is how you can amplify your voice and create visibility for yourself as a leader.