The second role transition rarely succeeds alone either. This checklist maps the key points to the phases of the transition, before the move, in the first 30 days, and in the first 90 days, plus the patterns that most often make the step harder.
Before the Move
- Clarified expectations for the new role concretely with your own manager or the board.
- Arranged your own operational succession early, instead of solving it on the side.
- Named the three tasks that will be handed to the team first.
In the First 30 Days
- Listened and understood the new level before setting your own priorities.
- Actively built first relationships with peers at the same level.
- Blocked fixed time in the calendar for strategic rather than operational questions.
In the First 90 Days
- Made a first strategic decision visibly, rather than only managing.
- Adapted your own communication style to the new level and gathered feedback on it.
- Discussed progress with your own manager or the board.
Patterns to Keep in View
- Did not hold on to the old formula for success from the previous level.
- Actively trained delegation, instead of experiencing it as a loss of control.
- Openly addressed your own uncertainty, instead of hiding it.
The Full Version With All Seven Starting Points
The free guide The Next Step goes deeper into every single point, straight from my coaching practice.