10 Steps for Rising Leaders - Corporate Executive Board Learning and Development Roundtable

Instructions: Use this guide to plan development actions as you prepare for promotion into your next role.
1. Maintain a Productive Relationship with Your Manager—As much as possible, strive to be on good terms with your manager. Respect their decisions and help them improve their own functional/technical knowledge.

2. Demonstrate Your Openness to Development—Show that you are receptive to your manager’s coaching and feedback by:
• Being open to new ideas and suggestion
• Admitting your need for improvement
• Actively seeking out their feedback

3. Actively Follow Through on Development Opportunities—Demonstrate that you will act on the input, coaching, and development opportunities you receive from your manager. Your positive follow through is key to encouraging your manager to continue to invest in your development.

4. Request Assignments That Build Your Long- Term Capabilities—Discuss with your manager the experiences you need to progress in your career, and solicit your manager’s help in getting exposure to those experiences.

5. Look for Development Opportunities in Your Current Role—Regularly assess the extent to which your current role is helping you learn new things and demonstrate new capabilities. If possible, look for projects or take on additional assignments in areas that are important for both your current performance and long-term development.

6. Build Your Understanding of the Organization and Its Key Players—Your manager can help you better understand the broader organization and its key leaders. Ask your manager for guidance before reaching out to leaders in other areas of the organization.
7. Develop Relationships with Other Leaders—Ask your manager to introduce you to other leaders in the organization who can help you with particular projects or serve as a mentor. Ensure that your development plan includes steps you will take to build quality relationships with other leaders.

8. Reflect on What You Have Learned from Key Experiences—Before you begin a new project or assignment, discuss with your manager the key capabilities you should expect to develop from the experience. During and after the assignment, schedule time with your manager to discuss key insights you gleaned from the assignment.
9. Promote Your Own Accomplishments—Keep your manager apprised of your biggest achievements so they can help others in the organization see your potential for leadership positions.

10. Regularly Solicit Coaching and Feedback—Understand where your manager is most interested in coaching or teaching you and schedule time for his or her input. Regularly ask for feedback and demonstrate your responsiveness to it.