A tool for transitioning roles.

We all take on the expectations of roles that we’re in, be it personal or professional. As an only child I’ve had many experiences where an introduction to a friend or colleague's sibling presents a major shift in personality, leaving me stunned and wondering - who is this!? We’ve all been witness to this swap, a well known counterpart whose demeanor shifts in different environments and with different people. And we’ve all had to adapt ourselves, in many cases it’s what’s required of us. When this evolution is for the better it’s a positive for all, growth is a good word to describe it. Being deliberate about growth and not losing ourselves in the roles expected of us is a delicate balancing act. 

This time of year has many people starting new roles at work, be it promotions, changes in scope, or new organizations. The transition brings navigating much newness, while maintaining a sense of self isn’t easy. And then there are all the internal and external expectations of our capabilities, with the polarities of imposter syndrome and overconfidence dominating how we respond. Neither will help you execute your role optimally. 

The reality is you bring great skills and experiences that are transferable to this new journey, after all, that’s why you were hired! And, there’s new knowledge, skills and learnings that you’ll need to acquire to execute the role successfully. To help bridge that transition, I’ve developed this tool to take you through a generic self-assessment, helping to identify key areas of development while being reminded of the capabilities you already bring to the table. It’s intended to be a reflective exercise, with concrete follow-up and execution that can be self-monitored. If you would like additional support in optimizing your skills, I’d love to help.