Establishing Leadership in Your New Job: Eight Simple Steps to Success

Congratulations! You've mastered the interview and landed a position with a company where you can envision yourself thriving. Now, as you step into your new role, you might be wondering how you can put your best foot forward to make a lasting impression and work towards your career goals within the organization. The key lies in establishing your reputation as a reliable and engaged employee right from the beginning. 

I have put together a list of eight simple steps that can help you demonstrate your leadership abilities from day one, in any position in any company worldwide! 

The first step towards developing your reputation in a position is to show initiative.

When you are new, take the initiative to learn about your role, the team dynamics, and the organization's goals. Take your time to take notes, understand the processes, and learn people’s names. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to contribute and demonstrate your value to the team. Volunteer for tasks or projects, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to showcase your skills and abilities.

Take time to build professional relationships with your colleagues.

Building positive relationships with your colleagues is essential for establishing your place within the organization, and in order to be a leader - you have to start somewhere. Take the time to get to know your teammates, show genuine interest in their perspectives, and offer your support whenever possible. Building rapport and trust early on will lay the foundation for effective collaboration and teamwork.

Work to listen and communicate with your colleagues positively and effectively.

Effective communication is key to in any organization. In order to communicate effectively you must start by practicing active listening by asking thoughtful questions, and seeking feedback to ensure mutual understanding and alignment. If you take the time to listen to those around you, you will be able to have positive, well-rounded, and clear professional communication with others. Remember that communication isn’t limited to the way you speak but also the way that you write and message on company tools with. 

Work to build your reputation by demonstrating reliability.

If you want to grow in your position you must develop a reputation for reliability through consistently delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines at the highest quality of work possible. This will help you to earn the trust and respect of your colleagues and supervisors through not only the way you speak and act, but your work product as well. In short, it pays to be dependable, accountable, and proactive in fulfilling your responsibilities. By demonstrating reliability from the outset, you'll establish yourself as a trusted and valued member of the team.

Healthy teams follow the leader, so you can lead naturally by being a positive example.  

If you make it a value to lead by example in your work ethic, professionalism, and attitude you will raise the bar of those around you and continually level up yourself. By showing integrity, honesty, and respect in all your interactions, and striving to embody the values and principles of the organization, your actions will set the tone for others and inspire confidence and trust in your place on the team and your leadership abilities.

When the opportunities for growth arise, do what you can to take them.

When the time is right, and a position opens, you should put your name up for movement within the company; however, it is important to remember that opportunities for growth are not only available in pay raises, and job title changes. 

Proactively seek out opportunities for learning and development to enhance your skills and knowledge as a professional in your field. This could be attending training sessions, pursuing certifications or professional development courses, and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices. By demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning you will show that you're invested in your personal and professional growth and have something to show for it when the question arises. 

Work to always offer solutions.

Instead of only identifying problems, be proactive in offering constructive solutions. Use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address challenges and contribute to continuous improvement within the team and organization. By offering solutions, you'll demonstrate your proactive approach to problem-solving and your commitment to driving positive change

Actively seek and be open to feedback.

Whether it be in your review, one to one’s with your manager or colleagues, it is important to seek feedback to grow your awareness of your professional reputation within the organization. Be open and receptive to feedback from your colleagues and supervisors when it is offered to you and actively seek out feedback on your performance, using it as an opportunity to start a dialogue about your growth and improvement. This demonstration of a willingness to learn and adapt will show that you're committed to your personal and professional development.

I believe that by following these simple steps, you can establish yourself as a valuable addition to your new organization and pave the way for opportunities for leadership on your team and within the organization.  Remember that just like personal development, professional development is a never ending journey, and if you are continually learning and growing then you are always moving in the right direction. Professional growth can be frustrating and take time; however, with dedication and determination, you'll be well on your way to achieving your career goals and making a positive impact in your new role.