The steps to stepping into a leadership role are largely two-fold:
- Express to your manager your interest in stepping into a leadership role over the next 6-12 months.
- Write down a list of responsibilities / behaviours a good leader has in your company. Take on one of these responsibilities one at a time to show that you both interested and serious about a leadership role. Advertise to your manager how you are progressing with these extra responsibilities each month via email so they had a written record.
A leadership role has much higher responsibilities and so your manager (if they are a good manager) will not promote you into the role without knowing you can do the job first. Leaders lead by action, not be theory. I know some great leaders who have a very poor theoretical understanding. And I know some horrible leaders who know the theory inside out.
I agree with this. As you're working in a small startup why not ask if you can just change your title? Unless there is some obvious hierarchy it couldn't hurt to ask to change it to say 'Digital Project Manager'. If you show willingness (and not ask for an immediate pay rise) there's no harm in them 'promoting' you. I know from working at quite a few agencies they generally love to show off their 'X Manager' to their clients. And the fact they got you on the cheap makes them warm and fuzzy inside. Once you have had a fair crack at the whip you can ask for the salary commensurate with your experience. And if they so no. You can go elsewhere and start your new journey.
Comments
The steps to stepping into a leadership role are largely two-fold:
- Express to your manager your interest in stepping into a leadership role over the next 6-12 months.
- Write down a list of responsibilities / behaviours a good leader has in your company. Take on one of these responsibilities one at a time to show that you both interested and serious about a leadership role. Advertise to your manager how you are progressing with these extra responsibilities each month via email so they had a written record.
A leadership role has much higher responsibilities and so your manager (if they are a good manager) will not promote you into the role without knowing you can do the job first. Leaders lead by action, not be theory. I know some great leaders who have a very poor theoretical understanding. And I know some horrible leaders who know the theory inside out.
Focus on action.
I agree with this. As you're working in a small startup why not ask if you can just change your title? Unless there is some obvious hierarchy it couldn't hurt to ask to change it to say 'Digital Project Manager'. If you show willingness (and not ask for an immediate pay rise) there's no harm in them 'promoting' you. I know from working at quite a few agencies they generally love to show off their 'X Manager' to their clients. And the fact they got you on the cheap makes them warm and fuzzy inside. Once you have had a fair crack at the whip you can ask for the salary commensurate with your experience. And if they so no. You can go elsewhere and start your new journey.