Stepping up to your first director-level role

Most people who miss out on a first director role are technically excellent. What they cannot yet evidence is judgement across the whole business rather than mastery of their function.

What a board is testing

• Can you hold a number in front of people who will hold you to it?
• Can you disagree with a peer director and still work with them on Monday?
• Have you built and lost people, not just managed a stable team?
• Do you understand how your function affects cashflow and risk elsewhere?
• Can you present clearly to a board in ten minutes without slides?

Build the evidence before you need it

• Volunteer for the cross-functional project nobody wants — it is the fastest route to board exposure.
• Ask to present your own numbers rather than having your director do it.
• Take a P&L line, a budget or a business case and own it end to end.
• Mentor someone. Being able to name the people you have developed matters at this level.

If your current employer will not give you that exposure, that is useful information in itself — and usually the real reason to move.