Leadership Powered by Common Sense From Individual Contributor to Leader: A Strategic Guide for New Managers | Ep 461
Feb 5, 2026
David Grady, a performance-driven senior executive with 40+ years across financial services, oil & gas and healthcare, shares practical career moves for aspiring leaders. He discusses how people get promoted without preparation. He explains becoming an informal leader, handling toxic influencers, and shifting from individual contributor tasks to developing and delegating for team growth.
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Excel At Your Current Role
- Do the job you're paid for and do it well to get noticed for leadership opportunities.
- Look for chances to expand beyond your role to build skills and visibility.
Find The Team's Power Node
- Informal influencers exist on every team and shape team behavior positively or negatively.
- Identify and work with that person to steer team culture before getting a formal title.
Delegate With Development In Mind
- Delegate tasks that others can do so you can focus on new managerial responsibilities.
- Give delegated work with growth intent to develop team capability.
