Tens of thousands of new leaders are promoted into jobs managing people for the first time every year.
Since no one steps into leadership knowing everything they need to be successful, authors Tacy M. Byham, Ph.D. and Richard S. Wellins, Ph.D. created a step-by-step resource, “Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others”, that explores the mindset, toolkit and practical advice first-time leaders should employ to become better and more productive leaders. It draws on the authors’ unparalleled research, experience and lessons learned helping companies select and develop thousands of leaders each year. The book covers a number of topics:
Leadership is a Choice
The authors help those considering leadership positions make the right career choices. “Contrary to popular belief, a step up to a leadership position may not be the right decision for many,” states co-author Wellins. ‘Both research and experience show that individuals pressured into taking a leadership role were three times more likely to be dissatisfied and twice as likely to consider quitting than those who voluntarily sought the position.’
Managing Transitions
Transitioning into a leadership position carries with it a unique set of challenges. Leaders in Transition research identifies a transition into a first leadership role as one of life’s most stressful—landing on the “awake-all-night” continuum somewhere between personal illness and managing teenagers.
The top challenges new leaders face identified in the book related to that transition include:
1) shifting mind-set from individual contributor to getting work done through others,
2) earning the right to lead,
3) developing a wider, broader network, and
4) translating strategy into action.
For each top challenge, Your First Leadership Job provides first-time leaders with a clear path to navigate the challenges flawlessly.
The Catalyst Leader
Byham and Wellins paint a clear picture of what it takes to become a remarkable leader.
They call this person a catalyst leader, who ignites energy, passion and commitment in others. The traits of this new breed of leader are critical to a new leader’s success in the current VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) business environment. “Catalyst leaders represent the gold standard - energetic, supportive, forward-thinking mentors who spark action in others,” states co-author Byham. “They help people and organizations grow by intentionally pursuing goals that stretch their skills and test their mettle. And, catalyst leaders are opportunity creators - they open doors of opportunity for others.”
Great Leadership is Built One Conversation at a Time
More than half of a new leader’s day is spent in conversations.
They may be communicating a change, gathering data or collaborating to solve a problem. The best conversations help colleagues feel understood, valued, trusted and motivated. Byham and Wellins identify “interaction skills” as the essential foundation for these conversations and include tips on how to build those skills and make each conversation count.
They point out that leaders with strong interaction skills have more engaged teams (89 percent), lead teams to exceed their productivity goals (83 percent) and are three times less likely to have turnover.
Reference: Tacy M. Byham: ‘Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others’
Business Tips
How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others
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- Parent Category: Business Tips
- Category: Leadership
