Making the transition from executive to non-executive is often challenging. You may be keen to make the move but are finding the opportunity elusive so far.
We often find people in your position asking:
- How do I reposition myself as a non-executive director when I lack non-executive experience?
- How do I access those opportunities that are filled informally rather than by formal process?
- How do I network effectively in this space?
Ultimately, they’re asking us: why am I finding it so hard – am I doing something wrong?
To help you get unstuck, here are three principles we regularly share, each helpfully illustrated by well-known figures from the world of sport and film.
1. Focus on marginal gains
Sir Dave Brailsford – Team Principal at INEOS Grenadiers
Dave Brailsford is an influential cycling coach, who led Team GB to its incredible Olympic success in 2012. He famously attributed the team’s success to his approach of aggregating marginal gains in developing the cycling performance of the team.
It struck me that we should think small, not big, and adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement through the aggregation of marginal gains. Forget about perfection; focus on progression.
Dave Brailsford
This theory also holds true for people trying to make significant career transitions.
When faced with a lack of breakthrough and serial rejections, it can be tempting to wonder if everyone else is doing something that you are missing.
You can easily get drawn into seeking the elusive silver bullet that will transform your fortunes.
Our observation, however, is that success more commonly comes from making subtle, but incremental, marginal gains in all areas of your job search.
Rigorously seek out where you can make incremental changes
Apply Dave’s theory to how you are approaching the market and look for where the marginal gains lie.
This might mean making tweaks to your LinkedIn profile and your CV. Are they presented in ways that maximise your chances of being found and longlisted by executive researchers working in search firms? What first impression are you giving?
It could mean rethinking your networking strategy. How are you communicating what you bring to the party to people who could effect a key introduction for an ‘off market’ opportunity?
As in most cases, the way to get the right answer starts with asking the right question. Pick the brains of others. What worked for them? Consider what might work for you, and do it.
Apply a passion for excellence in everything you do, no matter how small.
And most of all, be mindful of Dave’s advice: focus on progress and not perfection.
2. Be open to stepping stone opportunities
David Beckham OBE
In early 1995, a certain 19-year-old David Beckham joined bottom-tier Preston North End on loan from Manchester United.
Having signed for Manchester United’s youth team in 1991 he’d had a series of successes in the youth team, even helping the club to win the FA Youth Cup in 1992.
But, whilst showing the potential to break into the first team at Manchester United, he saw an opportunity to gain valuable match experience by playing for a team in a lower league.
In the end, he only played five games. But a series of impressive goals – including his now trademark free kick – and an all-round display of maturity saw him recalled by Manchester United and installed as a regular feature in its first team.
His loan move performances convinced Alex Ferguson that he was ready. Preston North End knew they were hardly his dream club. And Beckham knew he wouldn’t be staying for long if he delivered.
But as the saying goes, fair exchange is no robbery, and neither Preston North End or Beckham were short-changed in this stepping stone move. Preston North End got the services of an outstanding young player for several games and three valuable goals for their promotion push. Beckham got the shop window to showcase his talent.
Stepping stone roles can help you with your transition
In a similar vein we have seen several high capability individuals take on ‘stepping stone’ NED roles to help them successfully navigate the transition to a plural career.
Whilst not perhaps exactly where they see their career in the long term, they have found the roles helpful in developing and evidencing their general NED capabilities.
For business leaders the transition from executive to non-executive can take some adjusting to.
A NED role is a very different style of leadership. For an executive used to making things happen, the switch to the role of ‘nose in, but hands off’ can be tricky. Stepping stone NED roles can help executives develop their non-executive style and get used to this new model of leadership.
Frequently, whilst NEDs expect a steep learning curve to get up to speed with an organisation and the nuances of its sector, they often find they end up learning more about themselves – and how they might need to adapt in order to truly excel in a non-executive capacity.
Stepping stone roles can provide you with this opportunity as well being a springboard to land further NED roles more closely aligned with your preferred criteria.
3. Call in your favours
Don Corleone, The Godfather
On his daughter’s wedding day Don Corleone (portrayed by Marlon Brando) famously grants an audience to a man needing his help, saying: “Someday, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me.”
And as the film shows, Don Corleone always calls in his favours.
Networking is a two-way street
In your context, I obviously use the phrase ‘favours’ loosely. But in the business community it is invaluable to think about what people in your network might be looking for and how you can help them achieve their goals.
As Noah Goldstein and co say in their Little Book of Yes:
The norm of reciprocity is the social rule that demonstrates the willingness of people to give back to others the form of behaviour they have first received themselves.
It is the fundamental principle that turns disingenuous and self-focused networking into enjoyable and successful networking.
Concentrate on how you can help the people in your existing network. Are you sowing generously into your contacts – genuinely seeking to help them as well as hoping they might be able to help you? One-way streets are helpful for busy urban centres but not effective for fostering sustainable professional relationships.
Don’t be shy in reaching out
Most likely, over the years, you will have been following this principle already, naturally. I expect you will have helped people in your network find success in business, and may have spent very large amounts of money with a range of expert advisors and specialists.
Don’t be shy in reaching out to these individuals.
Almost without exception they will remember when you put business their way and will be wanting to reciprocate by offering their help going forward. That might be recommending you for an opportunity they are aware of, or setting up warm introductions with key people in their own networks.
4. Summary
Three transition tips from three unexpected sources
So there you have it; three tips from three famous characters that might help you transition successfully from executive to non-executive:
- Focus on marginal gains
- Be open to stepping stone opportunities
- Call in your favours
And above all, remember these two things: firstly, you are not alone and those who find it easy are definitely the exception rather than the rule. And secondly, bear Dave’s advice in mind – forget about perfection, focus on progression.
