If you are to be promoted to the position of a department head, or transferred to that position, what should you be prepared for in advance for the new position?
I guess you may have heard a lot of miserable stories of the new head failed that position quickly; Why this happen again and again? How could we fit into the new position smoothly?
I have been working for many functions in IT industry since my college graduation 16 years ago, e.g. programming engineer, testing analyst, project manager, process management, business analyst, internal trainer, even head of operation support (which includes marketing, resource management, admin, finance and HR) before I come to the position of testing department head.
The rich experience and well recognized achievement in the different domain areas give me confidence to go for the next stage of a brilliant career.
Here are some tips for you if you are the lucky guy to go to a new position, new area in a new environment:
1) Stay calm and cool
Hold your passion to change everything in the first 2 months unless you are expected to do some specific changes when you are assigned to do th change.
2) Observation,focus on the key staff
You need to identify the key staff who are the foundation of your team. Trust is something to be built in a long-term for you and the subordinatess, so put your efforts
on the key staff first. Listen to everyone, and understand their current practice, expectations and complaints. Don't promise them something or coach them immediately.
Because you are very likely to receive a lot of information, sometimes they are conflict to each others. Sometimes your solutions are being tried by the staff before which are not effective so it might reduce their trust on you.
Observe staff and understand them for their mood, capability, and accountability before assign them for new positions.
3) Be Close to Customers
You'd better to get as much information as possible and engage your customers as early as possible. Customers may still in the mood of losing some contact point (the ex of that position)
Be confidence and keep close communication with them with a big smile.
4) Process improvement for Working procedure, process and tools
You might be surpised that the procedure, process and tools are not idea, not complete, or not efficient. To change them, we need to organize training,motivate current resource to change it as a taskforce.
5)Establish sufficient communication channels
It's necessary to set up regular communication channel between you and second layer; and the channel at department level. Regulary report your progress to your boss for him to understand what's going on and trust your decisions;
Seeking for a mentor's help is also my secret weapon. Find someone more senior than you in your organization to give you advice from time to time.
After you are familar with the team's procedure, key staff and customers, you are likely to be more safely rooted in the new position.
Always keeping positive thinking and try to set measurable goals for the team during and after the transition period.
Then you could consider to do some changes.to establish a better team from many ways, e.g.adjusting business direction,foster a unique culture and team structure. There are always something to improve right? Let's discuss about this topic later.
Helen Lu
