Top 3 Roles for Emerging Leaders to Hone Skills for Their Future Careers
Embracing the role of a leader for the first time can be a thrilling yet intimidating experience. You're moving from being an individual team member to guiding a group and driving them towards achieving organizational objectives. However, with U.S. public companies trimming middle-management positions by around 6% since the height of pandemic hiring, this journey is becoming a little less straightforward. Adding to the challenge, about 60% of leaders admit to feeling drained by day's end, highlighting the potential for burnout.
In this complex landscape, simply possessing ambition isn't enough. You need a crystal-clear understanding of the role, the right set of skills, and the resilience to triumph under pressure. For aspiring leaders, pinpointing the right opportunities and equipping themselves with the necessary tools to navigate these obstacles is the key to forging a fulfilling and impactful career.
Team Leader or Project Manager
These roles, whether in marketing, IT, or customer service, involve guiding a group of individuals to complete specific tasks, projects, or objectives. Delegating tasks, monitoring progress, and juggling timelines, budgets, and team dynamics are all part of the job.
Leadership styles that can help you succeed include:
- Transformational leadership: This leadership style inspires and motivates your team by fostering a shared vision.
- Democratic leadership: Involve your team members in decision-making, ensuring their buy-in and collaboration.
Key skills to develop are:
- Communication and conflict resolution.
- Task prioritization and time management.
- Encouraging innovation and feedback.
Department Coordinator or Supervisor
These roles, such as retail, logistics, or administration, handle the day-to-day operations in their specific area. A retail store supervisor ensures customer satisfaction, manages employee performance, and oversees inventory. In contrast, an operations supervisor in logistics facilitates timely shipments, coordinates warehouse teams, and addresses bottlenecks.
Leadership styles that can help you succeed include:
- Transactional leadership: Focus on structure, rewards, and meeting performance standards.
- Servant leadership: Prioritize your team's needs, act as a mentor, and advocate for their growth.
Key skills to develop are:
- Problem-solving under pressure.
- Empathy and active listening.
- Performance monitoring and feedback delivery.
Cross-Functional Team Lead or Specialist
These roles, like a product development specialist or a sustainability program manager, involve leading teams consisting of members from various departments. These leaders must align diverse perspectives and drive collaboration to achieve a unified goal.
Leadership styles that can help you succeed include:
- Collaborative leadership: Focus on teamwork and partnerships, facilitating communication and accommodating different viewpoints.
- Adaptive leadership: Excel in tackling complex, cross-functional challenges with creativity, flexibility, and quick decision-making.
Key skills to develop are:
- Strategic thinking and stakeholder management.
- Negotiation and consensus-building.
- Cultural awareness and emotional intelligence.
Effective leadership styles vary depending on the specific challenges of the role. For new leaders, it's essential to understand team dynamics, organizational culture, and the role's demands. Flexibility is also essential—adapting your style based on the situation is key to success.
For aspiring leaders eager to make their mark, investing in personal development, communicating openly, embracing challenges, and celebrating small wins are critical steps. By mastering these essential elements, you'll lay a solid foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career. Whether inspiring creativity or fostering trust, each role offers opportunities to grow and achieve greater success.
- Cheryl Robinson, a renowned contributor to Forbes, often emphasizes the importance of career changes for individuals seeking leadership roles, suggesting that the best jobs for new leaders often require a shift in perspective.
- According to a study, about 60% of leaders confess to feeling exhausted at the end of the day, signifying the necessity for comprehensive leadership development focusing on effective time management, conflict resolution, and innovation encouragement.
- For instance, transformational leadership, which encourages team members to share a common vision, and democratic leadership, which involves team members in decision-making, are considered essential leadership styles for team leaders or project managers.
- In contrast, transactional leadership, which concentrates on rewards, structure, and performance standards, and servant leadership, which prioritizes team members' needs, are suitable styles for department coordinators or supervisors.
