6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Preparing for a Stretch Role

Moving into a new, higher-level position with significant authority for the first time can be intimidating. In our Women Leaders Emerging coaching circles, many of our conversations circle around the feelings we have when stretching into these roles.  Some recent coaching conversations we've had include:

• How can I feel confident when I'm sitting around the table with people who have been doing this work for 20+ years?
• How can I quickly develop influence to be successful in the outcomes I am trying to achieve when I'm the youngest and newest? (and smallest and one of very few women!)
• I don't get a great vibe from my boss. Am I looking for too much guidance? Should I be more assertive? How do I know when I'm stepping on toes?

During our coaching circles, members ask each other probing questions to help the colleague being coached to gain insight into how to approach challenges she faces. Are you experiencing self-doubt about how to approach a new stretch role? Take a few minutes and answer some of these questions that were posed by members of the WLE coaching community:
1. How are you hoping that this role will advance your career? What is your vision for this role?
2. What are the top priority objectives for your role from the leadership point of view? From your direct supervisor's point of view?
3. What is the one area for which you'd most like to develop credibility and influence?
4. Why did the organization hire you? What were they hoping  you would be able to accomplish? What strengths and skills do you have that no one else has?
5. What matters most to the stakeholders involved in your work? What do they need to advance their agendas? What are the key barriers they face? When are their busy times?  What's the best way to communicate with them?
6. What do you anticipate your greatest challenges will be?
The common thread in all of these questions is breaking down the hugeness of your developing career identity into manageable areas of focus. You'll be able to start thinking about what's next to focus on rather than being overwhelmed by not having everything in place right now.
What did you discover as a result of answering these questions? We'd love to have you join in on free peer-coaching conversations on our Facebook group, conspiring women.  See you over there!

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