As a staffing leader, it’s essential to coach your employees to help them achieve success. You motivate recruiters to get in front of higher-level decision makers, teaching them to nurture talent connections with gusto. You guide sales and consultant support teams to anticipate client and talent needs.

Anticipate. Support. Follow up. Inspire. Coaching is a constant in this people-centric industry, but does your coaching influence reach both ways? Is your guidance traveling up the corporate ladder? In other words, are you leading upward?

For staffing leaders who report into executive boards or private equity (PE) investors, these are important questions to ask. Fortunately, based on my 20-plus years in the industry, more people are asking them. When you push yourself to lead up, you can play an even bigger role in shaping the growth trajectory of your business while also sharing your expertise and coaching skills.

What Is Leading Upward?

Leading upward is the art of inspiring growth by bringing two things to the tables, rooms and zooms where decisions are made: vision for growth and frontline knowledge.

Rather than waiting for directions from board members or PE investors, executives who lead upward are idea generators, connection makers and vision builders. They understand they are an essential conduit of knowledge between the business operation (what is happening on the ground) and the strategy at the top (executive decisions shaping the business).

I’ve seen many friends in the staffing industry face unexpected challenges after selling their company and/or bringing on investors. No matter how prepared you think you are, the reality is different. Key to navigating this shift is to set aside ego, be willing to ask for — and accept — help and use the following strategies.

How to Lead Upward: 3 Tips

Leading upward requires both courage and skills since you’ll be reaching beyond your title and remit.

1. Know the power dynamic. Boards and investment groups operate differently. Take the time to understand how reporting and decision-making work so you can provide information that will keep the company moving forward. Some boards, for example, are only engaged in strategic planning. Others play a role day-to-day in operational oversight. Everyone, from you as a leader to each board member, will work together better when there is clarity on how to weigh input, provide insight and make decisions.

If you are unclear about the level of feedback and engagement to expect, ask. Which decisions are mine? Which decisions are yours?

2. Cultivate relationships for dual learning. Work to build deeper professional connections with members of the board or investment team. Show that you value their expertise by asking for their insights or advice on challenging issues. And be receptive. Listen actively to feedback and be willing to adjust your strategies if necessary.

Remember, these business experts can provide tremendous knowledge while also opening a new doorway for advancing your ideas. I love dual learning opportunities. It’s a reminder that you are not alone as a business leader and that board members and investors were actually in your shoes once.

A good way to cultivate these relationships is to ask for one-on-one advice on challenging issues. More often than not, you will gain valuable new knowledge and build a new ally who can help you educate and advocate for initiatives and ideas.

3. Get a coach. Many executive leaders have forgotten how to report to…  well… anyone. It’s not too late. Engage a peer, friend, peer group or coach who has worked with a board and/or PE firm. Learn their strategies for success and remember that asking for help is a strength. With the International Coaching Federation reporting more than 100,000 active coach practitioners worldwide, business coaches are an essential tool.

Opportunity Is In the Rise

While leading upward can be challenging, the growth it delivers — to the business and to your leadership capabilities — is worth the struggle. Improving the reach of your leadership results in a refined business strategy and strengthened business. Begin the climb today.