From Sandcastles to Sandpits: Transitioning into Leadership

I used to be an amazing sandcastle builder—it was my craft, my career, my passion.

Then came the day when they said, "You're great at building sandcastles. We want you to manage other sandcastle builders." Excited yet anxious, I wondered: Would they listen to me? How could I oversee their work alongside my own? I had been one of them, building sandcastles side by side, and now I was responsible for their success.

My "sandcastles" became HR policies, systems, and challenges. This was my first leadership opportunity, and it quickly became apparent that it was more challenging than I had imagined.

I made mistakes along the way:

• Acting too quickly to make an impact, which alienated my team who felt I was taking over.
• Trying too hard to be liked, resulting in perceived inauthenticity and a lack of respect for my new responsibilities.
• Underestimating the importance of building trust in my new role, assuming my title alone would command respect.
• Feeling overwhelmed by trying to maintain my previous workload while managing a team, neglecting to delegate effectively.
• Thinking friendship was the key to leadership success.

I knew I needed a different approach to succeed in my new role—from managing myself and producing work to leading others and achieving results through them.

Five Crucial Steps for Transitioning into Leadership 

Here are the 5 things I learnt:

1. Get Reacquainted with Yourself
• Understand your motivations, strengths, and areas for growth in your new leadership role.
• Establish clarity about who you are as a leader and what you bring to your team.
2. Look Up
• Shift your focus from individual tasks to a broader understanding of your organization's goals and how your team contributes.
• Understand the internal and external factors that influence your team's success.
3. Commit to People and Relationships
• Prioritize building positive relationships and creating a supportive team environment.
• Share your vulnerabilities to build trust and foster open communication.
4. Focus on Mindset
• Embrace a growth mindset, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
• Learn from setbacks and seek continuous improvement.
5. Prepare to Give Things Up
• Delegate tasks to create space for leadership responsibilities.
• Trust your team to deliver while maintaining accountability for outcomes.

Transitioning from being a skilled individual contributor to a successful leader requires letting go of old habits and embracing new responsibilities. As your team grows so, too, must your ability to lead effectively, prioritising collaboration and trust over individual achievement.

Developing Your Sandpit Strategy: Leading with Purpose and Legacy

My journey from sandcastle builder to effective sandpit manager has taught me invaluable lessons. By mastering the art of "maintaining sandpits"—creating environments where teams thrive—I've seen remarkable results. This strategy, part of my 3P approach, led me to relationship-based leadership, an experimental mindset and leveraging neuroscience to develop practical solutions that get results.

Whether you're just starting your leadership journey or seeking to enhance your existing skills, it's never too late to develop your sandpit strategy.

Join me in the Leadership Lift program, designed for managers eager to transform their leadership style and build cohesive, high-performing teams. Discover how to lead with impact, leverage your strengths, and create a workplace where everyone thrives. Learn more about the program and take the next step toward becoming the leader your team deserves.

Join the Leadership Lift Program:
Transform your leadership skills and build strong, cohesive teams that achieve results and enjoy their work. Become the manager people want to work for. Explore how to lead with maximum impact and leverage your strengths. Find out more about the Leadership Lift program here.