How to Create a Compelling Story to Land Your Next Leadership Role

When people talk with me about planning their next career move, they often are stuck as to how to tell a compelling story that shows what they have accomplished and where they want to go next. The reality is that this story is much more important than the collection of work history on a CV — especially for senior level leadership positions.

Here’s a four-step framework you can use to outline the components that should be in your leadership readiness story:

ONE: Taking a Realistic Look in Your Career “Mirror”

Much like looking in a real mirror at all of your physical attributes (both the good and the bad), a career mirror look is walking through how your past has shaped the present, and what you can learn from both the successes and failures that got you to this moment. Doing so honestly is the only way to get your true picture. The following are good questions to ask yourself to create your career mirror:

• When you first started your career, where did you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
• What changed your thinking? Were there key opportunities or setbacks that shaped your career path? What actions did you take that put you where you are now?
• How did your successes/failures shape the person/leader you are now?
• What could you do differently in the time remaining in your career?

TWO: Assessing Your Knowledge

Most people severely underestimate their breadth of knowledge — in general, and in specific detailed areas. This can cover anything from being an excellent meeting facilitator, to knowing all of the technical details of a specific technology stack. Uncovering what you know, and what you are really good at is critical to finding your next leadership position.

• What are your unique talents? (If unsure, ask your colleagues what you are really good at doing in the workplace.)
• What industry knowledge comes easy to you?
• What information do you have at your fingertips that you can share with others?
• Where do you have a desire to learn more (areas that are not your expertise today)?

THREE: Determining Your Risk and Decision-Making Profile

Just like assessing one’s knowledge, most people don’t realize how they have made decisions and taken risks in the past has impacted their career to date. By digging into and learning from these facets of yourself, you can better determine how to apply that risk and decision profile (and just maybe get out of your comfort zone) to plan your next move.

• On a scale of 1-5, how risky has your behavior been in your career, with 1 representing not taking very many risks, and 5 representing taking a lot of risks?
• How did your career risks stack up? How often did those risks return success, and how often did they fail?
• How comfortable are you at dealing with risk (future success and potential failure)?
• How would you describe your decision-making skills in an interview?

Check out our previous blog post, “Is Your Decision-Making Style Creating Challenges for Finding the Best Business Results?” for more on identifying your decision-making style.

FOUR: Knowing Where You Are Headed

Sometimes organization and planning shape a person’s career path, and other times sheer good or bad luck and timing play a key role. No matter how you have arrived at your career present, talking out loud about where you want to end up (and why) at the end of your career can make sure that you keep that goal in mind, and have an action plan to get there.

• What do you still want to accomplish that you haven’t yet done?
• What is your vision for the next five years? What will you specifically be doing?
• What expertise do you want to showcase for your supporting team members?
• What opportunities do you think would be a good fit for matching what you want to accomplish, what you know, and your leadership style?

YOUR HOMEWORK: Crafting A Compelling Story

This is where the refinement work begins. Using the answers from the questions in the four steps above, what are the trends and themes that you see emerging? And where are those trends unique to you (versus other candidates that may be trying for the same leadership role)?

Reflect upon the insights you gathered above. Make a list of what you want to share. Remember that honesty is key and talking about failures and successes both can demonstrate how you have learned and grown in your career so far.

Next Steps

If you are ready to dive in and pursue that next leadership role, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re happy to help you create a compelling story that will make you stand out from the other applicants and be memorable during the interview process. Our 90-Day Individual Development Program can be used to help you create your future career vision or help you tell your career story externally (among other career-boosting topics).