Leadership
Step up. Lead well.
Advice for moving into your first management role, growing as a leader, and how senior hiring works.
Your first management role
The first 90 days
Days 1–30: listen
Meet each team member one to one. Ask what is working, what is not and what they need from you. Understand how you will be measured.
Days 31–60: set direction
Agree three priorities for the team. Set a regular rhythm of one-to-ones and team meetings. Make one or two improvements the team asked for.
Days 61–90: build habits
Give feedback regularly. Delegate work you would previously have done yourself. Review progress against your priorities with your manager.
Growing as a leader
What changes as you become more senior
- From doing to deciding. Your value comes from the decisions you make and the people you develop, not the work you produce yourself.
- From your team to the business. Senior leaders are judged on outcomes across functions: revenue, cost, risk and culture.
- From answers to questions. Good leaders ask the questions that help their team find the answer.
- From visibility to reputation. Senior roles are often filled through referrals and search, so your reputation in the market matters.
Senior career moves
How senior hiring works
Many leadership roles are never advertised. Employers use executive search to approach a small number of people confidentially. If you are approached:
- Ask who the search firm is acting for, at what stage the search is, and what the role needs to achieve.
- Expect a detailed conversation with the consultant before your name is shared with the employer.
- Expect several rounds, including meetings with the board or promoters, and references taken late in the process with your permission.
Believers HR runs confidential searches for senior appointments through our executive search practice.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I get noticed for senior roles?
Keep your LinkedIn profile current, build relationships with search consultants in your industry, and be known for clear results.
Should I move internally or externally for my first management role?
An internal move is often easier because you already have credibility. An external move can bring a bigger step up. Both work.
What do employers look for in a first-time manager?
Evidence that you've informally led people or projects, that you give and take feedback well, and that you can prioritise.
Can I register my interest in senior roles confidentially?
Yes. Apply to a relevant role or contact us; senior applications are handled by a consultant directly.
Read next
Related articles
Leadership
Your first 90 days as a new manager
Moving from doing the work to leading people is one of the hardest transitions. A practical plan for the first three months.
6 min read · 17 September 2026
Leadership
Hiring your first CFO: what founders should know
The first CFO hire is a turning point for a growing company. How to define the role, assess candidates and time the appointment.
7 min read · 20 August 2026
Salary and Compensation
Negotiating your salary when you change jobs
Preparation matters more than confidence. How to anchor your expectations, compare offers fairly and avoid common mistakes.
6 min read · 8 October 2026
Looking for your next leadership role?
Search senior roles, or speak to us confidentially.