INTHEBLACK December 2021 - Magazine - Page 68
WORK SMART
// N E W R O L E S
STORY NICOLA HEATH
BLANK
CANVAS
A “ B L A N K S L AT E ” R O L E I S I N E V I TA B L E AT S O M E
POINT IN ALMOST ANY CAREER, AND CAN BE EQUAL
PA R T S E XC I T I N G A N D C H A L L E N G I N G .
A
blank slate – leading a new team or stepping into
a newly created role that lacks a clearly defined
scope – is an invitation to try new things and
adopt new methods, approaches and strategies.
“When there’s a completely new role that’s never existed
before, the business is looking for you to do something
differently,” says Repa Patel, leadership expert, executive
coach and director of Leading Mindfully.
Charting new territory in an organisation requires equal
measures of temerity and tenacity.
“It also involves an element of courage,” says Patel.
“You’ve got the ability to change the way things are done
and to shift perceptions.”
While a blank canvas offers the potential for great gains,
it also comes with an increased risk of missteps and failure.
68 ITB December 2021
ASSESS THE ROLE
First, establish what the role requires of you, advises
Patel.
Is it an individual contributor role that relies on your
technical expertise? Is it a position that requires you to
manage people, projects, processes and systems, deliver
outcomes, and engage in technical work? Or is it
a leadership role that requires you to oversee a large
team and influence outcomes?
“We know from Gallup research that 82 per cent
of leaders are promoted because of their technical
expertise,” says Patel, but that doesn’t always translate
into leadership success.
A new role requires its own fresh approach and
development plan to fill any skills gaps.