The Director's Vision
Let's think about a director of a blockbuster film for a moment. This person has the entire movie playing in their head well before the clapperboard snaps for the first scene. They know the plot like the back of their hand, the genre of the movie, and even the slightest of nuances in the screenplay. They are the guiding light for everyone - each department, actor, and camera angle.
This is you! As an executive, you're a director of your company's story. Your job involves understanding the vision, setting direction, and making big decisions that echo throughout the company. And no, you're not just planning for the next year any more. You're looking into the telescope of time - five or ten years ahead, maybe even further. And as the business world evolves, so does your strategic vision.
To play this role like a pro, you'll need to know your organization, the industry and how it fits into the wider business landscape, inside-out and outside-in. You need to know where the real competition is lurking(often not obvious) and become a pro at spotting opportunities, predicting trends and avoiding potential risks. The more perspectives and insights you bring to your role, the better you'll be at leading your organization towards its strategic goals.
Casting Call: Building and Nurturing Your Team
The director does not create a movie alone. They rely on a killer script, a cast of talented actors, and a skillful crew to bring their vision to life. The same goes for an executive role. You're working with a team of top-notch managers, each in charge of their own department or project. Your task? To bring all these elements together into a high-value-creating team, that's better than the sum of its parts.
Creating a successful management team involves picking the right people, developing their skills further, fostering a sense of teamwork, and managing conflicts. You will need to enable strong relationships within your team, encourage open communication, and create a culture where everyone feels appreciated and heard. This doesn't mean you should avoid conflict - healthy disagreements can spark innovation and progress. But you do need to make sure conflicts are productive and respectful.
And let's not forget about delegation. As an executive, micromanaging every little thing is not your job. You'll need to trust your managers to take charge of their areas. Encourage them to consider multiple solutions to problems and make decisions. Let them stretch their skills and give them the balance of freedom and support they need to succeed.
The Face of the Movie: Your Executive Presence
Directors are usually the public face of their films. They give interviews, attend press conferences, and represent the movie to the public. Likewise, as an executive, you represent your organization to stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, customers, and the public. So you'll need to cultivate a strong executive presence.
But executive presence isn't about charisma or style. It's about how you carry yourself, how you communicate, and how you make others feel. It's about staying cool under pressure, speaking confidently with clarity and conviction, and always showing empathy and respect to others.
Developing executive presence takes time. It requires self-awareness, practice, and feedback. You may need to work on your communication skills, learn to manage your emotions, or build up your confidence. You'll also need to understand the company brand and culture and adapt to corporate expectations. But with time and effort, you can develop an executive presence that inspires trust and respect at all levels.
The Final Cut
Moving from managing a part of the 'film set' to sitting in a director's chair is a huge leap. The higher you climb up the leadership ladder, the bigger the gap becomes between the rungs. But with the right preparation, bridging support, and an open mindset, you can make this transition smoothly and successfully.
Just like a well-directed movie, your leadership can leave a lasting impact that's remembered long after your tenure. Your organization's story is still being written, and you're an important part of the plot.
