How to transition from managing to leading
In this episode, Ulrike and her guest Birgit Eberle explore strategies for overcoming team resistance when assuming interim leadership and navigating the transition from a managerial to a leadership role simultaneously.
Ulrike’s guest, Birgit, currently leading the talent management and recruitment team at a Zurich-based recruitment agency, has been tasked by her supervisor to temporarily assume leadership of the client-facing team on an ad interim basis, given the absence of a leader in that department. This situation presents a challenge for her, given her recent entry into the role and the organization, coupled with her specialized expertise in another domain.
Recognizing her inclination towards acting like a manager despite aspiring to be a leader, Ulrike and Birgit have worked out the following approach for this transitional phase:
- Acknowledge that is necessary to let go off control
- Evaluate the worst-case scenario of letting go off control
- Transition from offering direct advice to serving as a facilitator for the ideas generated by team members
- Move away from providing immediate answers and instead foster an environment where team members contribute their expertise through thoughtful questions.
Acknowledging that the pivotal tool for evolving from a manager to a leader is the ability to pose insightful questions, Birgit emphasizes the importance of valuing this questioning process as a significant contribution. This shift aims to underscore the team's expertise and address any prior resistance encountered by Birgit in her leadership role.
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Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!
About Birgit Eberle
Birgit Eberle is a passionate Talent Acquisition expert and advocate of innovation and creativity. With a high interest in people, accessibility, but above all openness, she wants to make a positive contribution to the continuous development of talent acquisition.
About Ulrike Seminati
Ulrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.
Connect with Ulrike!
Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com
Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com
