Career Trends: Five things to remember on your first day as a leader

Edition: September 27th, 2021
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS

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• Excerpts from article by Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, published on Entrepreneur.com

The first day a leader assumes the office is always very special. The humble ones reflect on those who helped them get there; the arrogant ones are already planning their next step and how to ‘exact vengeance’ on those who bruised their egos or hampered their rise to the corner office; while the diffident ones are terrified – reading up on the latest jargon, from sustainability to management, just to look the part.  

But, there is one common theme that runs through all of these feelings – a sense of uncertainty and unease. And there’s no universal manual to refer to.

Here are a few pointers to help you chart your course towards successful leadership: 

1. Enter with confidence – but always be gracious 

• In the first month, express gratitude to all who got you there, as well as those that will be in your team.
• Make sure you use the words “working with you,” and not “you’ll be working for me.” 
• The initial view of you has to be that you listen more than you talk.
• You have already got the job, so don’t try to convince people that you belong anymore.
• It will work in your favour if you highlight that you are actually nervous, and that you need the team’s help to succeed.

2. Take immediate command of your ship 

• Change the office dynamic early in your appointment. (This includes simple things like rearranging the office structure, meeting dates, and report formats.)
• The main reason is to help the rest of the organisation know that there is a new leader.
• But be careful that you don’t trash your predecessor and are vigilant to cut off those who do try to do that.
• Make both functional and cosmetic changes to ensure that the change is visible.  

3. Weed out the ‘cunning’, ‘scheming’ and ‘unscrupulous‘

• Take stock of your team – usually, you will have an up-crop of sycophants, who may feel nice to have around you as they feed your ego. However, keep your mind open and take what they say with a pinch of salt.
• The most difficult challenge will come from those who desired your job and are very capable.
• Sometimes, the board or senior management forces these people onto you.
• Firing them will take away their expertise too.
• Try and see if you can establish a healthy work relationship with them.
• But if you feel that you have to constantly look over your shoulder due to a member of your management team, you may have to get rid of them.  

4. Define your legacy with success

• Focus on a tangible investment or progress that you can point to within a year, and within three years.
• Legacies are defined by things people can see.
• You want your stakeholders to exclaim: “That company you see, that company we own now, she built it, or he bought it.” 
• That’s what you want. Of course, you also want the company you bought to make money! 

5. Radiate positivity

• Remember that you are the soul of your division or company.
• Be happy and radiate that positive spirit.
• When you travel or meet people, a very important part of the job is for people to know you are happy.
• That starts from the time the doorman greets you, through to when the tea boy comes to your office, right up till the end of day.
• Don’t forget, everyone talks when they leave your office.
• So, if co-workers ask, “How was it?” You want the answer to be: “Always a pleasure.”  

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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)

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