Stepping into a corporate executive role for the first time can be both thrilling and intimidating. You have worked incredibly hard to reach this achievement, and now here you are, responsible for leading a team of individuals toward company goals and metrics. Serving as a leader is no easy task, and while the following is not an all-encompassing list, below, you will find some tips on how to be an executive leader who mentors, inspires, and influences rather than one who assigns tasks.

• Build Relationships: Although it may seem fundamental, it is worth reiterating that building relationships is one of the first steps to success in any executive role. As an executive, much of your job revolves around internal and external relationships with stakeholders, and your ability to build rapport is critical. Whether through a combination of one-on-one or full team meetings, get to know those around you and create a precedent for honest communication around business objectives and individual growth goals.

• Communicate Effectively: Communication is the cornerstone of excellent leadership. In their article on tips for first-time leaders, Fellow explains, “In most cases, if a boss is doing a clear job of articulating expectations and measures for success, one is going to find employees thriving.” Communication is a two-way street, so remember to also listen closely to what those around you are telling you and take time to understand their interests, opinions, concerns, and passions.

• Set Realistic Goals: Setting achievable goals is crucial for success in any corporate environment. This is not to say that you shouldn’t maintain a growth mindset, but rather that you should understand what is in the realm of the possible. When setting goals, evaluate your team’s abilities and resources, and ensure that your team fully understands what is expected of them and how that fits into the larger narrative of the organization.

• Be Adaptable to Change: As a corporate executive, it is critical to stay flexible and adaptable. As difficult as it can feel, stay open to new ideas and approaches, and don’t be afraid to pivot your strategy if necessary. Adaptability is not only good for the company’s bottom line—it demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue at hand and shows your team that you are a strong leader who is willing to learn and adjust where necessary in order to achieve success.

• Earn Trust: Trust your people and work to earn their trust. In her article on advice for first-time managers, Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar of Ascend reminds us that in a first-time management role, it is important to remember that “People are hired because they are experts in their fields or show potential to do great work. Withholding trust can make them feel you are not acknowledging the skills that brought them to the table in the first place, and potentially lead them to resent you.” However, this does not mean that you should expect to be trusted immediately. Due to the very nature of the position, executive leaders should never anticipate their teams innately trusting them. They must work hard to build and earn that trust.

• Continue to Learn: Invest in your personal and professional growth as a leader. Hopefully, your company will do the same, but if they do not, take it upon yourself to be the best you can be. It will pay dividends in this job and in the next (if there is a “next” for you). You can invest in your professional growth by attending leadership training and conferences, reading books and articles on your industry, seeking feedback from team members, and more. These activities keep your skills sharp and keep you at the cutting edge of industry news and best practices.

• Focus on System Solutions: When something goes wrong, don’t blame individual contributors but instead look for systems-focused solutions that would have prevented the issues in the first place. Effective leaders look at the entire team and the environment in which they operate, creating spaces that enable individual contributors to succeed in supporting team goals.

• Leadership Over Popularity: One common trap new executives can fall into is prioritizing being liked over leading. A true leader helps their team and organization grow and inspires positive change. There is little doubt that, as an executive leader, you will be required to have hard conversations and make tough choices at one point or another. Put the best of the company and its employees at the heart of your decisions, and be steadfast in your choices, knowing that they may sometimes make you unpopular or put you in awkward situations. As they say, it comes with the territory.

• Get to Know Your Peers: Establish a genuine relationship with the other executives you will work with! Not only will their institutional knowledge be instrumental for you, but building connections for honest back-and-forth communication, ideas, and feedback will help you to excel. Learning the management styles and professional goals of those around you will help you to develop your own leadership style and better inform your decision-making.

• A Few Don’ts: Don’t micromanage (an easy trap to fall into when assuming more responsibility than you are used to), don’t only give feedback when there is a problem (instead keep an open and ongoing dialogue in which both positive and negative information can be shared), don’t avoid tricky conversations (see the note on popularity), and don’t shut yourself off from new ideas. These are just a very few of the many traps new executives frequently find themselves in, and being on the lookout for those behaviors in yourself and addressing them today can avoid heartache and frustration down the line.

Becoming a successful corporate executive requires a combination of skills, including open and effective communication styles, adaptability, and a continuous appetite for personal and professional growth. Strong leaders have detailed knowledge of individual contributors, stakeholders, team goals, and company objectives. They build trust and rapport by being true to their word and understanding the needs of those around them through active listening skills. Remember to focus on what is best for your team and company, and lead by example, striving for excellence in all aspects of your leadership role.

Scion Executive Search can help you find qualified leaders!

If you are a leader ready to add to your executive team, Scion Executive Search is here to assist! We are an award-winning full-service executive search firm specializing in identifying top leadership talent for essential roles on behalf of our clients across the U.S. With an extensive network of candidates and clients, our professional executive search team stands ready to partner with you. Contact us today to learn more about our process and how we can best serve your needs.

About the Author

Bailey Olderog, Technical Writer (she/her/hers) 

Bailey Olderog brings her passion for storytelling to her role as technical writer at Scion Executive Search (SES). She is dedicated to accurately telling the stories of others in ways that articulate their vision. 

Prior to joining SES, Bailey worked for a 3D-printing tech start-up after working extensively in the military and government space. Her broad public sector experience includes ghostwriting for elected officials and military generals, researching and authoring private investigations and public reports, drafting testimony for hearings before state and federal legislative committees, and bringing a voice and audience to those without a platform. 

Through a career focused on providing direct support to top organizational leadership, Bailey understands the powerful impact that positive leadership has on organizations and the individuals that comprise them. She is dedicated to helping leaders find the roles in which they will flourish and positively impact the lives of those they work alongside. Bailey received her degree in political science from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she also minored in studio art.