Stepping Up: Advice for New Chief Executives

Another excellent article courtesy of LinkedIn that we wanted to share with you. This one is authored by Rob Powell, Chief Executive at the Legal Ombudsman in the United Kingdom. In it, he shares nine lessons from reflecting on his first year as a new Chief Executive, as well as a snapshot of the highs and lows over the year. 

Below we summarise Rob’s advice he would have given himself – it’s also incredibly helpful for others stepping up into new roles. We add the extra advice given by some of the readers of Rob’s article too.

The original Linkedin article, followed by reader comments, can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-chief-executive-one-year-what-i-would-tell-myself-rob-powell/

Rob’s reflections and suggestions (with our emphasis):

• Remember why you got the job and don’t change who you are or how you lead i.e. authenticity and faith in your personal style
• Use every opportunity to communicate your vision and plan simply and clearly
• Pick an early priority as a strong signal and drive real change
• Make quick decisions that are good enough to progress the organisation’s core strategy, even if the decisions aren’t perfect
• Ringfence time to think strategically and get your focus right
• Invest time in the key relationships, within your organisation, externally, and with your Chair and Board
• Get your team right and develop your people, including sourcing the capabilities you need, emphasising and signalling the behaviours you want, and providing positive and constructive feedback
• Control the pace and ambition for the organisation, and build both speed and space into your plans and resourcing
• Make time for your own development and build your network as support from other leaders is invaluable as a sounding board
• Look after your own wellbeing and energy, including holidays and hobbies which give you perspective and space

Other suggestions before starting a new role:

• Prepare thoroughly for the responsibility (as advised to Rob by his Chair, Wanda Goldwag, when he took over the role, following internal promotion)
• Take the deepest breath you can
• Persevere, try to enjoy it, and don’t expect too many thank yous
• Admit you’re still learning
• Get some training upfront before starting
• Be straightforward with colleagues and stakeholders
• Remember that you’ll look back on the new role and your accomplishments with pride
• Know your networks and use them (as advised to Nicci Russell, Managing Director at Waterwise, by Cathryn Ross)

Please do let us know if you have additional suggestions for those stepping up into new roles – we’d love to hear your thoughts.