Your hard work has been noticed, you have been promote and you have been rewarded with the position you have been coveting (or not)…
Now, it’s time to get to work because with your new role comes new responsibilities and with these new responsibilities come new people, new concepts, new ideas and also new opportunities for mistakes…
Wondering what are the critical mistakes to avoid as a new leader?
1. New leaders wait to be sollicited
A new leader who goes and checks in with the team is relatable, creates a bond and a sense of security.
Even if he or she has nothing special to say, expressing the basic requirements to the team is a good start.
2. New leaders nurture an imposter syndrom
It is quite normal to lack confidence when you first start out.
However, it is unhealthy and unproductive to openly and inwardly nurture an imposter syndrom for long periods of time.
After a while, your team will surely pick up on it and will start to question your leadership.
So, stop doubting yourself and take confidence in your leadership.
3. New leaders struggle with their leadership style
Befriend an employee or discipline a friend? That is the question…
Most new leaders, especially if they are unexpectedly thrown into a leadership position, have a hard time determining their leadership style.
It’s all about understanding your team members, learning to delegate, keeping your role and responsibilities in mind, finding the right balance between relatable, approachable and authoritative.
4. New leaders lead everyone the same way
Some people are quiet, others are loud.
Some introverted and others extroverted.
Some are all over the place and others don’t require discipline.
Some rather competition and others choose collaboration.
Some enjoy confrontation, some a conversation and others avoid conflict altogether.
Some are just somewhere in that spectrum.
The point is that not everyone is the same or require the same treatment. Therefore, the same leadership style cannot be used with everyone all the time.
5. New leaders tend to power trip and ego trip
That new found power can be elating to new leaders.
It will have them thinking that they can treat people anyway they want to or do whatever they please.
Someone else was in line for the job but you got it and it’s now an opportunity to belittle them?
There is no need to play or keep playing dirty because you have already made it and tomorrow is never guaranteed.
There are people on your team that you don’t like and you want to demonstrate your dislike and your authority?
They may technically be worked for you but the truth is that you are working for them.
If you abuse your power, everyone around you will lose respect for you and your behavior will slowly degrade productivity and team performance.
6. New leaders maintain their old responsibilities
Your responsibilities have changed or have increased?
It can be tempting and reassuring to want to handle every single details and to maintain your old activities in addition to your new ones.
It’s now time to accept the change, to fully take on your new role and to learn how to delegate.
7. New leaders tend to openly criticize
Whether it’s bad talking the person who previously held your position or critiquing the way things were done before you were here, critiquing tend to leave a bad taste in the mouth of your new team.
There is nothing wrong with wanting change and reorganizing things to your liking but you can do this without degrading your predecessors.
8. New leaders are afraid of appearing incompetent
Because of their fear of appearing incompetent, new leaders don’t clarify objectives, speak when they should really be listening, take credit for other’s ideas and don’t ask questions to higher ups.
Last Words Of Advice!
Before fully jumping in your new role and responsibilities, take a few moments to observe your new environment, comprehend the company culture and understand the people you will be working with.
Hope that I’ve helped you get it together on your way to leadership!
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