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Rising Star
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It will take a year to get on your feet, and double that to feel really comfortable. Don’t let the inner critic tell you you’re not good enough - you were promoted for a reason (several reasons is more likely).
This was really helpful, definitely reframed my thinking
First, congrats! Well deserved, and I’m sure you’ll be great. You’re not an impostor because no one who offered you the job is a fool. You earned it all.
Second, assess the situation. Are you coming in to shape up work and provide structure? Build? Or are you coming in to keep a good thing going? Maintain?
Third, take a minute to audit. Don’t just jump in with your instincts or you’ll find yourself in the weeds (like I did) more than you should be.
Fourth, turn your instincts into a practice. Really dissect what you do, step out of your body and mind, and turn it into a ways of working mandate.
Fifth, respect how YOU work. You’ll feel a lot of pressure to get to the right answer fast. It’s best to plan for timelines/deadlines, and make sure your time to think is appreciated.
Finally, defend your team and anyone whose work you oversee. It’s fine to lose, but watch out for them in public, correct in private.
Out of curiosity, is it at a new agency or are you switching? It takes time to learn how they do things. For me, I’m still learning 18 months in. It’s a different vibe when you’re promoted internally vs. switching shops; learning new clients / verticals; managing new people you likely didn’t hire, etc.
This is great! Thank you.
And a new agency, so new processes, people and clients. Really excited
Congrats!
Ex-AD in a previous life.
The best clue and guiding point is in the title. Director. It’s the mind shift you need to apply.
No longer managing but directing, leading and guiding the process and people.
Always take a ‘step back’ approach and review the wider impact of decisions. It’s no longer a fully hands on role (unless you need to - it will happen, often) but one you have shape.
Everything a shit boss did - now you can do the opposite. Lead by example, nurture and grow those under you - be open, approachable and be helpful. Be prepared to muck in. Have their back when they are wrong and address it later.
Step up - when things go wrong, sort it. It’s why you are in the position.
Stay close to the work but try avoid the ‘doing’. Let others think for themselves - let them try and present you solutions. You can guide them after. Best to have team meetings to layout the week ahead and to have the team report back to you as and when the project requires.
Leadership are looking to you to own the account and team. Manage up to them. Your task is to grow the account with your peers - be proactive with this. Offer suggestions for process for the agency/department and team training/growth.
Clients - are your new best friend. Be valuable to them - help them achieve in their role ie solve their problems. Be their guide, their decision maker and be on hand to offer sound advice. Always have your business hat on for opportunities with them.
Don’t be overly serious. It’s just work. Remember you and everyone have a life outside of it.
Enjoy it. Own it. Do it.
Good luck.
I know I’ve said “this is great” to every reply, but this is also great advice. Thank you
I just got my director promotion and I have major imposter syndrome too. Solidarity!
I hope all the above responses are helping you as much as they are me!
Rising Star
It was intimidating, yes — I leaned HARD on the title. I was like, fuck, the buck stops with me now. That was scary but also really empowering as a very perfectionisty person. “It’s on ME to make this good” was my mantra behind every deliverable and conversation.
The title made me feel like I “deserved” to be talking to and collaborating with other Directors, instead of feeling that I was a little pest. Talking as a peer to another senior stakeholder is the best thing you can do to advance your position, fill in gaps in knowledge/confidence, and justify the decision-making you are doing.
Read The First 90 Days if you need some stability/structure help, and remember a lot of other people already think you can do this
Super helpful! Thank you very much
I made the same jump close to a year ago so I know the feeling. Everyone above has been giving great advice. Only thing I would add is to take a step back and think about all the good and bad bosses you’ve had in your career - you don’t realize sometimes how much you have been absorbing. Mirror the good behaviors you saw from them and learn from the bad. Also, you actually have an advantage that other tenured leaders don’t - you have been a do-er much more recently than they have. So you’ll know what your direct reports are going through and what they need and thus be a more empathetic leader. That’s critical. Use it.
You have been preparing for this job your whole career so get out of your own way and do the damn thing. Good luck!
Sound, sound advice. Thank you!
I tell myself that I met the same qualifications and jumped through the same hoops to be here as the next person, so if I’m an imposter, we all are! 🙃
This was actually very helpful, thank you