{"id":4144,"date":"2023-07-27T06:21:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T06:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=4144"},"modified":"2023-07-28T10:16:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T10:16:52","slug":"career-transition-update-july-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=4144","title":{"rendered":"Feeling like a CEO?! – My last career transition update: July 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I first started in my role in spring 2012, I started working with a wonderful mentor, Margaret. Initially it was meant to be a short-term measure to support me as I stepped up into my first executive role. As it turned out, Margaret and I established a long term relationship that reached well into 2018, and has since turned into a wonderful friendship. We co-wrote three blog posts in 2018<\/a>, mentoring unpacked, reflecting on our journey and work together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently Margaret forwarded me an email I sent to her in my first week as CEO. It was lovely to go back to those early days and read about them in my own words. Although I applied for the role as an external candidate, I had in fact been working for the organisation since 2008 in different roles, and so my first day turned out to be a bit of a non-event. I just turned up for work as usual, as did everyone else, and we got on with our lives. The fact that I was now officially in charge wasn’t mentioned by any of my colleagues. My email brought that palpable sense of leadership transitions always being a bit weird right back to me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I worked so very hard in that first week, and my words, although upbeat and confident, reflect that in every word. Establishing authority, setting boundaries so that I could meet my new expanded remit and responsibilities, holding colleagues to account when they challenged me. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I loved it. I was so excited, and that excitement carried me through many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward to the present and this week is a special week, as it rings in the final stage of handover and transition; and afforded me and our current team two days to meet in person together with Billy, our new CEO. A rare treat indeed and, as it turns out when you are challenged in the crystal maze, a huge amount of fun! We had the best time solving puzzles, eating pizza and planning ahead for what is promising to be a wonderful 30th Annual Conference for the Association (incidentally, if you have not yet registered, do it before the early bird deadline on 6th August<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, personally, it feels a lot like my first few weeks on the job in reverse. Instead of a post-it note at the bottom of my monitor reminding me of my new role, I now have welcome reminders everywhere that I am stepping away from the CEO perspective and into a new mindset. Although it’s bittersweet, it feels like the right step for me, and it feels good to have such a committed and inspiring individual step into that space. If you don\u2019t already, follow Billy on social media<\/a> and find out more about the transition on Billy\u2019s blog<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next month, there will be no transition update as we will be completing our handover! So instead look out for a big thank you post from me as we ring in a new era of leadership for ALT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous posts in this series:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n