How to Land Your Next Leadership Role

Perhaps you have an eye on a leadership position in your company. Or maybe you’re looking to switch to a leadership role in a new organisation. Either way, you’re ready to take on more and hungry for your next challenge. The question then becomes, how do you land the leadership role you want? 

First, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. In which areas do you excel? What are your top areas of development? Identifying these areas of growth will help you decide how you want to build up your competencies. Think about the leadership role you want, and then work backwards. What skills could you acquire that would help you excel in that position? Once you’ve chosen these skills, find ways to grow in these areas, either by getting the  relevant certification or taking a course. Having the right qualifications will help your profile look attractive to hiring managers. 

For instance, earlier in my career, I wanted to take on a Project Management role in Singtel. I had already interned with Singtel while I was studying, and I was able to identify a senior manager who I didn’t directly report to, but had known during my time there. Having such “warm” second-degree contacts in a company will go a long way in helping you stand out from the rest of the applicants. 

Prior to reaching out to that senior manager in Singtel, I knew I had to equip myself with the skills necessary to thrive in the company. I recognised that my strengths lay in project management, so I took up a certification course and got myself Project Management Professional (PMP) certified. This certification was another way to prove to the company that I was committed to succeeding in the role. 

Be sure to also get as many references as possible, not only from your bosses, but also the people that you have worked together with. These could be your clients and peers. Help others to succeed in their role and do well in their job so that when you need a reference, your contacts will be more than willing to help you out. 

Be Proactive at Work

A common mistake I’ve observed is the way in which people respond to bosses or supervisors when they are asked to take on more responsibilities at work. “Why should I do it?” and “Are you going to increase my pay if I do it?” are knee-jerk pushback reactions.

However, you should always try to do more instead of less. Taking on more responsibilities provides you with the opportunity to learn more than your peers. It also shows your supervisor that you are someone with the right attitude and the willingness to learn. When the time for a promotion comes around, it will put you in a better position, particularly if you have demonstrated that you are a competent and well-rounded person by completing the additional tasks assigned to you.

Therefore, learn how to say, “Yes, that is a good opportunity. I would love to take it” when offered additional tasks. Remuneration and promotions will naturally come at a later date once you have proven your ability to get the job done. Even if your boss tasks you with something and refuses to promote or increase your pay, I can assure you that with your newly acquired competency, someone outside your company will come to value your skills and offer you a job. To me, every added responsibility is a way to learn on the job and beef up your profile.

But you don’t have to wait to be asked to do more. If you find yourself becoming very confident in your work, such that you now only expend perhaps 80% of your time on your work instead of the original 100% initially, use this extra time wisely. Take the chance to further your professional career. Pick up new skills. Ask your boss if there is more for you to do. Managers always appreciate when employees show initiative and drive, especially since it is common for individuals to keep their heads down to avoid being singled out for extra tasks. By seeking to take on more, it gives your manager the impression that you are a productive worker. This will put you on their radar for the next promotion.

Another area that I find useful for building leadership qualities is through a mentor. Some companies offer mentorship programmes, and if you are identified as someone to be a part of this, seize this opportunity. A mentor will be able to guide you in moving up the corporate ladder in the particular organisation. But if such a programme does not exist in your company, you could simply approach someone senior in your company to ask them politely and sincerely to be your mentor. This shows that you are a go-getter who is eager to learn, and a senior manager would usually be happy to share their wisdom and experience with you. If you struggle with feeling too shy to ask for help, use your motivation to progress up the corporate ladder to overcome it.

When seeking to land a leadership role, your network is everything. Take stock of your connections and identify people who are able to help you where you want to go. These are the ones you need to influence. The most obvious would be people who you have worked for and with. As everyone’s career progresses at different speeds, those who worked together with you in the past could already be in a leadership position, and may be able to hold some sway over getting you into a leadership position.

Another group for you to tap on would be your second and third degree network. A second degree network refers to people who are acquainted with someone you know, but whom you do not know personally. In other words, a friend of a friend. Similarly, a third degree network is someone two layers removed from you. This is the less obvious group of people that you need to influence, because even if your direct connection is unable to bring you into a leadership position, they might know others who have mentors, bosses or previous employers who are looking to fill a leadership position. Networking widely is the way to reach out to these second and even third degree connections.

Network Well

The importance of networking is something that I cannot emphasise more on. Everyone can build up skills and competencies, but not everyone is capable of networking effectively. Always try to network with as many people as possible. Meet new people and expand your circle of connections. When going for meals with friends, always try to encourage them to bring new people to the gathering. Because you never know what this network might offer you in terms of opportunities in the future.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn are also very important for networking, particularly when it comes to expanding your network of second and third degree connections. LinkedIn creates connections across friends and connects friends of your friends to you, so I believe that every professional should learn how to use LinkedIn to reap its full benefits. Invest some thought into building a personal brand on LinkedIn or a social platform, like Facebook or Instagram. A personal brand will allow others to look up to you, such that you become sort of an influencer. It also builds your reputation in the industry or in a circle of people who are keeping an eye out for certain individuals. Your personal brand holds a great deal of potential in attracting relevant opportunities your way.

Keep in touch with people you know, such as old classmates, ex-colleagues or your relatives and neighbours. Even if you and your classmate were in the same career position when you were 20 years old, at 40 or 50, some might already be in a very senior role such as CEO. By keeping in touch consistently over the years with everyone, you will have warm relationships with your classmates. They’ll naturally look at you as a potential candidate for an open role if you possess the necessary skill set.

That said, don’t reach out to someone years later just to ask for a job. You should keep in touch with people in a natural way, without asking for anything. You don’t want to come off as being opportunistic. It’s as simple as picking up the phone and making that phone call to reconnect. Build relationships with people over time, and help them out if you can. When the time comes, they will certainly return the favour.

Help Others Along the Way

Do not underestimate the power of paying it forward by helping others to succeed at what they do. It may sound counterintuitive, because in all the companies that I have been to, I have seen people fighting to climb the corporate ladder by taking down the colleagues they deem as competitors.

Avoid taking part in such ugly office politics or unethical behaviour, because even if others do not initially realise it, eventually unscrupulous activities always come to light. Furthermore, you may not be happy in that leadership position because you have created toxicity around you through committing unethical acts or backstabbing that will leave you guilt-ridden. Getting ahead in your career doesn’t have to come at a cost to you or others.

Instead, help others when you can and support them in achieving their goals. When I was sent to Officer Cadet School during my army days, there was a selection for a single individual who would be recognised eventually as the best cadet of the course. It was obvious that quite a number of the coursemates wanted to be the best of the cohort. However, the reality was that there would only be one person chosen, and near to the end of the course, I knew I was in the running.

When the course commander interviewed me out of the candidates they had shortlisted, I was asked who I thought should be named the best in the cohort. The normal answer would likely be “me”. But I was a conscript soldier, and I knew that there were others who had signed on to have a professional career in the army. So I sincerely told them that it should be one of the other candidates who had signed on. I explained that while it is true that anyone would like to be recognised as the best in what they do, I also need to be rational. The award would probably just be something hung on the wall, and would play no part in my career progression. But for those who signed on, it would likely help them move up the ranks faster.

While I was simply trying to help another, at the end of the day, the instructors gave me the award, because they felt that I had the maturity to think at a logical level. But most importantly, once the other soldier I recommended found out about the recognition I had given him, he was immensely grateful. Particularly since I was his competitor. He eventually did well in the army, and till now, we still mutually respect each other. Thus, it is very important to always help one another in order to progress in your career.

In conclusion, supporting others, networking effectively, and learning on the job are ways in which you can get your next leadership in a meaningful, authentic way.

Build Up Your Skills

Pick up new skill sets, either by taking on more work, completing more courses and by being proactive. Ensure that you are always learning something new on the job.

Network Effectively

Connect with as many people as possible both online and through social interaction. Also attempt to reconnect with others that you already know via a phone call or over a meal. 

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Help Others

Take the initiative to help your colleagues or higher-ups find success in the organisation. They might become your referee, or link you up to an opening for a leadership role someday.