How to Go from Manager to Director - Land an Executive Level Position

Dr. Grace Lee2 minutes read

Progressing to a director role in a corporation involves multiple managerial levels and requires a shift in skills, mindset, and leadership style from individual contributor roles. To prepare for a director position, individuals should focus on self-promotion, cross-functional projects, executive coaching, and developing future leaders within the organization.

Insights

  • Start positioning oneself for a director role early by adopting a proactive self-promotion mindset and engaging in cross-functional projects to gain necessary skills.
  • Transitioning to a director role involves a shift towards cross-functional leadership, executive coaching for skill development, and focusing on mentoring and teaching to develop future directors, emphasizing the importance of articulating new standards of excellence.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key skills needed for a director role?

    Adaptability, leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and influence.

  • How can one position themselves for a director role?

    Start early, shift mindset, engage in cross-functional projects.

  • What is the importance of executive coaching for aspiring directors?

    Develop leadership, influence, communication, and ambiguity navigation skills.

  • How does the focus shift at the director level?

    From improving individual competencies to developing great managers.

  • What strategies can aspiring directors employ to lead effectively?

    Articulate new standards, mentor, teach, and focus on company goals.

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Summary

00:00

Navigating Corporate Progression and Directorship Success

  • Progression in a corporation from individual contributor to director involves various managerial levels: junior, mid-level, senior manager, director, VP, and c-level.
  • Skills required for success as an individual contributor differ from those needed at the director level.
  • Marketing oneself for a promotion should start early, not just during reviews or promotion discussions.
  • Strategies for positioning oneself for a director role include a mindset shift and proactive self-promotion.
  • Transitioning from manager to director necessitates a shift to cross-functional leadership and broader responsibilities.
  • Involvement in cross-functional projects helps in learning the skills required for a directorship role.
  • Executive coaching is crucial for developing leadership, influence, communication, and ambiguity navigation skills.
  • A key strategy for aspiring directors is to articulate new standards of excellence and lead teams to adopt new processes.
  • Directors mentor and teach, focusing on understanding mental models and communicating them effectively.
  • Chartering the course for the company involves formulating future plans, evaluating processes, and focusing on company goals.

14:06

Developing Great Managers for Future Director Roles

  • At the director level, the focus shifts from improving individual competencies to developing great managers who will eventually become future directors, requiring a mindset change towards teaching unique qualifications and competencies essential for effective management.
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