3 Foundational Leadership Skills High Performing Managers Used to Get Into Management

“I have not been able to position my skill set within my agency or broader employer market. I dream of being a leader within a company that is aligned with my interests and passion, where I can make an impact. This holds me back.”

We hear versions of this weekly.

You have great skills but aren’t sure how to articulate or position them for your next level.

It’s not clear which experiences you need to bring up or how to talk about them when making the case for promotion or a new role.

You’re stuck in a role you’ve outgrown or perceived as the person you were when you joined the company vs. the leader you’ve become.

Over years of trying to crack the code with only moderate success, it can feel like you are stuck in a frustrating cycle or that you *have to leave right now* to break it.

Both paths require energy–staying and fighting, leaving and finding a new path. Neither guarantees you’ll actually address the core issue: Presenting as a clear, confident leader who knows where she’s going, what she can offer her organization, and has the plan to execute.

Here’s the trouble:

You might get into a new role, but you still won’t know how to position yourself or present like a focused strategic leader. 

You might even avoid the issue for a while, but once you have a 1on1 or review or compensation conversation, you may find yourself in the exact boat.

The leap in mid-career is going from being the person who does things others tell them… 

…to becoming the leader who sets a strategic vision, tells a compelling story, and influences others to move toward it. 

Here’s the good news: If you do it right, you can use the promotion or hiring process to learn, practice, and be rewarded for the exact core leadership skills you’ll need to do the new role well. 

Vision setting 

Know your clear 5-10 year career, department, organization, or industry outlook.

Storytelling 

Articulate confidently why you’re uniquely suited for this vision.

Influence

Sway others to move toward your vision and impact

It's a 2 birds 1 stone deal that not only results in a role that aligns with your long-term career goals but the actual skills to back it up. And that’s how you get perceived as a leader–when you start thinking and acting like one. Funny how that works, right?

Doors to my Career Strategy GPS group program are open! 

If accepted, you’ll get an exclusive invitation to a FREE Master Class to learn more and look at the transition to leadership and identify what it could take for you to make the leap. That’s right, only a hand-selected group of womxn are invited to the Master Class. 

Still have questions? Email holler@acelectric.co to ask - we’re happy to help!