Promotion: Good News and Bad News

Most executives relish the idea of a promotion: more money, more authority, more opportunity. Yet there's a downside to every promotion: more risk and more stress. According to Matt Paese, Vice President of Development Dimensions International, many corporate leaders consider a promotion their most difficult life event.

Joann Lublin offers advice to recently promoted executives in today's Wall Street Journal:

1. Obtain clear orders from your committed boss and stay in close touch.
   
2. Come up to speed quickly by requesting guidance from your counterparts elsewhere and from trusted insiders.
   
3. Exude self-confidence without acting cocky.
   
4. Try to placate resentful subordinates.
   
5. Don't make too many bold moves too fast.
   

Read the entire article here:
Leadership Skills Ease Stressful Promotion to Uncharted Area

Many executives stumble because they fail to implement guideline number one. They mistakenly assume that their boss prefers to be left alone, and asking for too many appointments will show a lack of confidence (violating guideline number three).


As Lublin points out, time spent with the boss early on should be focused on gaining clear guidance and understanding expectations. Self-confidence comes from taking the initiative to determine how to meet goals and expectations. Even so, no one can meet goals that they haven't heard or don't understand. Unfounded assumptions can be fatal to a newly promoted leader's career.


On page one of The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies For New Leaders At All Levels, Michael Watkins writes "The President of the United States gets 100 days to prove himself; you get 90." Successful executives spend a good portion of those first 90 days in conversation with their boss.