This article explains the Elevate framework designed to support leaders in consciously transitioning into a new or expanded leadership role.

What is Elevate?

Elevate is a practical framework designed to guide a newly promoted leader through a leadership transition. In a recent Forbes article, they highlight research from CEB Global (Corporate Executive Board); 60% of new managers fail within the first 24 months in their new role. So I have created the Elevate framework which has been designed to clarify the critical components to consider when moving from one level of leadership to another or taking the very first step into leadership. It's a leadership transition planning process that helps make the unconscious conscious, helping the leader put a plan in place for their transition. In essence, Elevate helps the leader accelerate the changes required when moving from one role to another, through adopting a planned, conscious and reflective approach.

Completing the self-assessment takes on average 20 minutes. Followed by a 90-minute feedback and planning session, which makes it easy for the new leader to create a plan to consciously and intentionally manage the transition successfully into their new role.

I have the pleasure of working with so many leaders who have been promoted however many have never had any leadership development, and often leadership transition support and coaching comes far too late in the process. In the Forbes article, they go on to say "When a transitioning leader is struggling, their direct reports perform 15% worse on average than those who report to a high-performing manager. They’re also 20% likelier to leave the organization or be disengaged, according to the Gartner consulting firm." You can read the full article here.

The costs of poorly supported and managed leadership transition are huge and the impact for the leader can be devastating. Leaders aren’t always conscious of the changes required to be successful at the next level and this can lead them to make mistakes (that are avoidable.) This impacts their confidence, can lead to overwhelm and poor decision making, slowing down the rate of transition into the new role.

Using the Elevate Leadership Transition self-assessment is one way of providing targeted support to a newly promoted leader to ensure a smooth transition into their new role.

Here's feedback from one leader about their recent experience of using the Elevate self-assessment and feedback.