You Got Promoted—Now What? The Brutal Truth About Climbing the Ladder
Most of us don’t start our careers dreaming of managing people. We start by mastering our craft—be it finance, HR, operations, or sales. We hone our skills, get recognized for performance, and then one day, it happens: we’re asked to lead.
But leadership isn’t just a promotion—it’s a transformation. The journey from individual contributor to executive isn’t about climbing a corporate ladder; it’s about shifting your focus, expanding your impact, and redefining success.
Stage 1: The Individual Contributor – The Master of the Craft
At this stage, success is simple: do great work. Your value is defined by your technical skills, efficiency, and ability to execute. You focus on delivering results, not on managing people. The best individual contributors:
Are self-motivated and highly skilled in their domain.
Seek recognition for performance, often by outworking and outlearning their peers.Thrive on task ownership—the work is personal, and excellence is the goal.
The Shift to Management: Moving forward means realizing that success is no longer about what you can do, but what you can help others achieve.
Stage 2: The First-Time Manager – The Conductor of Tasks
Here’s where the real learning curve begins. Suddenly, your success is no longer just about you—it’s about your team. The challenge? Letting go of control. At this stage, great managers:
Shift from doing the work to enabling others to succeed.
Learn to delegate, coach, and build relationships.
Balance trusting their team with holding them accountable.
The Shift to Leading Leaders: The biggest struggle? Many new managers still try to be the best doer instead of the best enabler.
Stage 3: Manager of Managers – The Architect of Teams
Now, you’re not just managing work—you’re shaping an organization. Your success is determined by how well your managers lead. Great leaders at this level:
Develop systems and structures for team success.
Think strategically about talent development—who should move up, out, or into new roles?
Focus on coaching leaders, not micromanaging workers.
The Shift to Executive Leadership: The game changes again. Now, it’s not just about leading—it’s about shaping culture, driving strategy, and influencing the business at large. It is stepping into an enterprise mindset.
Stage 4: The Executive Leader – The Visionary & Culture-Carrier
At this stage, your role isn’t just to execute strategy—it’s to define it. You shape the future of the company, inspire large teams, and make decisions that impact hundreds (or thousands). Great executives:
Focus on big-picture thinking—markets, competition, and long-term growth.
Drive organizational culture—what gets rewarded, how decisions are made, and who thrives.
Lead through influence, not just authority—inspiring teams to align around a shared vision.
The Ultimate Shift: You’re no longer just leading people—you’re leading the business itself. This is the most difficult stage to move into. You don’t just shift what you do—you shift how you think, how you communicate, and how you define success. The expectations are vague, politics come into play, constantly making high-stakes decisions and a major shift from execution to storytelling. No second chances at this level!
Why This Journey Matters
Every step up the leadership ladder demands a new mindset. What made you successful in your last role can hold you back in your next one. The best leaders are the ones who:
Recognize when it’s time to shift their focus.
Develop new skills instead of clinging to old ones.
Understand that leadership isn’t about power—it’s about impact.
Where are you in your leadership journey? More importantly—what’s the next shift you need to make?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Lupinacci spent the last 25 years at some of the world's best-known companies, such as Intel Corporation and Kimberly-Clark. His career spans key executive roles such as Chief Learning Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and Chief Integration Officer. After a successful corporate career, Jeff turned his focus to his true passion—serving the overworked and under-resourced HR profession.
Beyond his corporate success, Jeff is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, with his insights featured in leading publications such as CFO Europe, Nikkei Business Magazine, and Baylor Business Review. In addition to his business leadership, Jeff is an adjunct professor at Baylor University, where he teaches Human Capital Management for the Executive MBA program and leads the HR Strategy and Analytics capstone for undergraduates.
Jeff is the best-selling author of The Talent Advantage: A CEO’s Journey to Discover the Value of Talent. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and two doodles.