From Manager to Director: 4 Key Shifts You Need to Make

Career · Promotions

By Feras Asakrieh · 5 min read · Issue #24

The jump from manager to director isn't as simple as doing more of the same. As a director, you enter the first tier of executives, and your impact on the organization becomes much greater. Most managers miss the mark because they believe what made them a great manager will automatically make them a great director. It won't.

Step 1: Start Thinking Strategically, Not Tactically

As a manager, you were likely bogged down by tactical execution: hitting deadlines, managing processes, solving problems. As a director, you need to start thinking about the big picture. Ask yourself: how does this decision impact the company long-term? How does this initiative align with our overall strategy?

Step 2: Master Managing Up, Down, and Across

As a manager, your role was primarily focused on managing your team. As a director, you need to manage at all levels: up, down, and sideways. Managing up means influencing senior leadership. Managing down involves inspiring your teams. Managing sideways requires collaborating with peers in other departments.

Step 3: Develop Your Storytelling Skills

A director's job isn't just about having great ideas. It's about telling the story behind those ideas in a way that resonates across the organization. Your ability to communicate with impact is what will get buy-in for your initiatives and help rally support from your teams.

Step 4: Build Cross-Functional Relationships

As a director, you'll be working on projects that span different departments. Start building relationships with colleagues in other departments. Understand their priorities and challenges. When you can connect the dots between different teams and align their goals, you'll be in a much better position to drive company-wide initiatives.

The transition from manager to director is about evolving the way you lead and learning the skills necessary to drive company-wide success.

From Manager to Director: 4 Key Shifts You Need to Make

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