Top 10 Ways to Shift from Doing Things Right to Doing the Right Things

Jimmy Burroughes
2 min readFeb 1, 2024

The shift from manager to senior leadership marks a pivotal turning point in your career — and one that many unsuccessfully navigate. It’s a juncture where you shift from being the accomplished executor, known for getting things done right, to the strategic orchestrator, responsible for ensuring the right things get done. This transition, while filled with opportunities and promise, is not without its challenges. The shift is akin to mastering a new skill after years of honing your expertise.

Throughout your career, you’ve excelled as a high-achiever, receiving accolades for your ability to consistently deliver results. Your dedication, unwavering commitment, and a track record of excellence have propelled you to this new role. However, as you step into senior leadership, the game changes. You’re no longer just an individual contributor; you’ve assumed the mantle of a team leader and strategic decision-maker.

This transformation can be both exciting and unsettling. It’s exciting because it presents a fresh perspective and a broader scope of influence. But it can also be unsettling, as your success as a senior leader is gauged by different metrics compared to your previous roles.

Here are some practical strategies to help you navigate this transition successfully:

  1. Foster a Collaborative Environment: Encourage a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Empower your team members to share ideas, feedback, and suggestions. Create an atmosphere where everyone’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives are welcomed.
  2. Measure Impact, Not Output: Shift your focus from measuring output to evaluating the impact of your leadership. Your success now lies in the collective achievements of your team. It’s about the results your team attains collectively, not just your individual accomplishments.
  3. Set Boundaries: To prevent overstretching yourself, acknowledge your limitations. Prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary. Setting boundaries ensures that you allocate your time and energy to what truly matters.

The transition to senior leadership is undoubtedly challenging, but it also offers profound opportunities for personal and organizational growth. By embracing delegation, defining clear priorities, developing your team, empowering decision-making, and fostering effective communication, you can successfully navigate this transition. It’s about evolving from being a solo performer to a team leader, unlocking your full potential, and setting the stage for unprecedented organizational success. The journey may be challenging, but the destination is nothing short of extraordinary. Remember, you’ve got this!

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Originally published at https://jimmyburroughes.mykajabi.com.

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Jimmy Burroughes

Showing leaders and teams how to change their conversations to change their business performance results. jimmyburroughes.com