The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results, Second Edition

Chapter 5. Act Differently When You Are Promoted from Within

Consider a successful handoff in a running relay race. The new runner, who is already on the track, does three things: (1) prepares and starts moving in advance; (2) takes control of the transition by putting his hand where he wants the baton placed; (3) accelerates decisively following the handoff. Those promoted from within should follow the same model.

The basics of new leadership apply whether it is in a new company or the same company. The fundamental difference between moving to a new company and getting promoted from within is that, like a relay runner preparing to receive the baton, you are already on the track. Unlike when you join an organization for the first time and have to create a new positioning for yourself, when you're promoted from within, people already know you or know people who know you. Thus, to a large degree, this is an exercise in repositioning yourself within the organization.

When you have been promoted from within, keep the following rules in mind.

You Cannot Control the Context

While you may not be able to influence the circumstances surrounding an open role, you often can influence planned promotions in advance. Under a planned promotion, you will usually have time to do some due diligence and transition planning before you are officially named.

When a promotion is unplanned, you must figure out ...