Moving into a larger or more complex role in an organization is one of the most challenging transitions in a professional’s career. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset, from primarily concentrating on formulating and executing work, to focusing on the strategy that defines the work. Many professionals struggle with this transformation. Those who excel in technical or operational roles may find themselves attending to every detail to ensure correctness. Those who are growing a startup, running a new department, or who are new to their function can feel a strong pull to control all aspects of the business.
This is where Suzanne ElNaggar, CEO of VantageShift, steps in. She specializes in guiding high-performing professionals through this critical career evolution from doer to leader. Her approach is about helping individuals develop a leadership style that is authentic, adaptive, and aligned with their strengths.
Why the Transition is So Challenging
Most professionals earn leadership roles because they were excellent at their previous job or, in the case of entrepreneurs, they become de facto leaders because they excelled at making a product or providing a service. Engineers become engineering managers, salespeople become sales directors, analysts become strategy leads, and entrepreneurs become CEOs. But what got them there—their ability to execute tasks efficiently and deliver results—is not what will make them successful as leaders.
Leadership is a fundamentally different skill set. Instead of primarily doing the work, leaders must focus on:
- Delegating without micromanaging
- Trusting their team members instead of handling all activities themselves
- Making strategic decisions rather than focusing solely on execution
- Communicating a vision and inspiring others to work toward common goals
Yet, many leaders struggle with these shifts. The struggle is particularly acute for new leaders: according to research, nearly 60% of first-time managers fail within their first two years because they are not adequately prepared for the transition. Without proper guidance, they often fall into one of two extremes: over-controlling their teams or withdrawing and becoming ineffective.
How Suzanne ElNaggar Helps Professionals Own Their Leadership Role
ElNaggar understands these challenges firsthand. With years of leadership experience, she has navigated complex transitions herself—moving across roles, industries, and leadership levels, and running her own business. Now, through VantageShift, she helps others make those same transitions smoothly and successfully.
Her approach is unique because it isn’t about imposing a one-size-fits-all leadership style. Instead, she helps clients:
- Develop a Leadership Identity That Feels Authentic
Many professionals assume leadership means being extroverted, authoritative, or having all the answers, but leadership can take many forms. ElNaggar believes there are some traits that good leaders share, such as self-awareness, empathy, integrity, problem-solving, and communication. The degree to which clients exhibit those traits when they first start their coaching engagement varies, however. Working with ElNaggar, they further develop those skills as well as other skills that they identify through coaching, discovering what kind of leader they naturally are.
One example of a leader learning to lean on a natural attribute is a client of ElNaggar’s who was strongly detail-oriented. They worked to channel that trait into a productive way to illustrate and impart their vision for their function to their team members. Through their work with ElNaggar, they uncovered better methods of documenting and communicating their ideas.
- Communicate with Authority and Influence
Leaders need to be able to get people to pay attention, understand a desired outcome, and be willing to collaborate to achieve that outcome. A helpful skill that is part of effective communication but one that you will not often find on a list of leadership skills is storytelling. Telling stories that engage listeners, take them along on your journey, and move them to act is essential to being a successful leader. Storytelling helps you to influence others to follow your path and sets you up as a subject matter expert. “I had a client who by becoming a more adept storyteller landed a higher role at double the pay,” said ElNaggar. “Stories told well are powerful communication vehicles for persuasion.”
- Embrace Strategic Thinking
One of the hardest transitions for leaders who are accustomed to focusing on day-to-day activities is shifting from short-term execution to long-term strategy. Instead of focusing on daily tasks, they must start thinking about team growth, resource allocation, and the broader goals of the organization. ElNaggar helps her clients reframe their mindset; moving from “What needs to get done today?” to “Where do we need to be a year from now, and how do we get there?”
Working regularly with startup founders and experts in their fields, ElNaggar helps clients understand that others are relying on them not to complete daily tasks but to set overall direction. A recently promoted client of ElNaggar was surprised that their colleagues were looking to them to corral some of the chaos that had become the norm in their workplace. The client had grown accustomed to being on the executional side of the work and needed to change how they viewed themselves. Through the coaching relationship, they shifted their mindset to recognizing that they had the ability and the accountability to plan for growth and the long term.
- Become Agile Learners
It’s common for leaders to believe that they need to know everything at the start. They work furiously to gain all the knowledge they think necessary to succeed at their current level. Then, the process of learning slows and sometimes halts. In the ever-changing environments in which so many of us work, continuous learning is imperative. As an organization grows and morphs, so must a leader’s capabilities and understanding of leading.
One of ElNaggar’s clients was leading their startup through an inflection point in the company’s growth. They had become proficient in the processes and methodologies of the company in its infancy. Recent changes, though, demanded that they expand their capabilities to shepherd the company into its new era.
Through coaching, they worked through the discomfort and learned new principles of talent management, partnerships, and organizational design. Coaching helped them to tap into the inner wisdom that allowed them to harness their talents in new ways that became better as combinations than as separate skills. Ultimately, they appreciated the value of learning and realized that learning should be a constant companion.
Key Takeaways for Leadership Success
If you’re interested in elevating how you show up as a leader, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, leadership is a set of skills, not a title. Leadership can be developed, but it requires continuous learning and self-awareness.
It’s also important to let go of execution and focus on influence. The most successful leaders don’t do more work, they create environments where great work happens. Delegation, coaching, and trust-building are essential. To that effect, adaptability is key. No two leadership journeys look the same. The best leaders aren’t rigid in their approach; they learn, evolve, and refine their leadership style and skills as they grow.
Lastly, it’s essential to find the right support. Leadership is a lonely road without the right guidance. Working with a coach like Suzanne ElNaggar can provide the perspective, strategy, and confidence needed to transition successfully.
Final Thoughts: A Smarter Approach to Leadership Growth
The transition from doer to leader is one of the most significant career shifts a professional will make. Through VantageShift, Suzanne ElNaggar is helping professionals navigate this transition with clarity and confidence. Her experience, insight, and human-centered approach to leadership development make her a valuable partner for any professional looking to step into their full leadership potential.
For those standing at the crossroads of career advancement, VantageShift can make a big difference. Visit the website to learn more or connect with Suzanne ElNaggar on LinkedIn.
