When I first took on a leadership role, I thought the key to success was delegation. As the new leader, I wanted to show that I trusted my team. So I spent the majority of my time assigning tasks and then allowing my employees to work independently.
It didn't take long for me to realize I had gone too far.
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My team didn't have enough direction, which caused them to struggle. An information gap has developed. Employees felt responsible for decisions that should have been mine, but they lacked the knowledge and data to choose wisely. For my part, I was missing key updates because I wasn't there in the trenches.
While I was able to learn from my mistake, it also showed me something undeniable about Leadership:No amount of experience or training can prepare a new leader for everything they will face in their first year.
New leaders can plan how they will guide and inspire employees. They can think of innovative ways to help the team work more efficiently. But the truth is, there will always be speed bumps.
In order to help new leaders prepare for their new roles, here are three tips that have come straight to me from industry experts about what to do. learned in their freshman year.
1. Shut up and listen.
“That was the best advice I got in my first year as a new leader. I had taken control of a tank platoon as an armored officer [in the U.S. Army]. One option was to come in and start changing things up in order to let my soldiers know who was responsible.
“Or, as my flight sergeant advised, I could Shut up. Listen. Learn from these guys before changing anything. They've been doing this for a while. They do things for a reason.
“These tips helped me learn more in my first month than I ever could have hoped.”
—Mike Figliuolo , author, leadership coach, and founder of Thought Leaders, LLC
It's not uncommon for a new leader to feel that if they don't take charge immediately, they will be seen as incompetent. Really, the most important thing is to get the lay of the land.
During the first year, a new leader should take the time to learn how their team works and why. This will prevent them from shaking the boat unnecessarily.
2. Seek new perspectives.
“During my first year as a leader, I learned very quickly that being successful in leadership is not you to know. Rather, it is about encouraging and supporting your employees to share they know.
“When people know you are genuinely interested in learning more about their experiences and insights, you gain access to insights that will help you make smarter choices and decisions for your organization.
“It also creates an environment that allows your employees to put their best efforts forward as they will see a clear link between their contributions and the overall goals of your organization.”
—Tanveer Naseer , writer, leadership coach and host of Leadership Biz Cafe Podcast
A new leader is only one person. As such, they might not see every angle or every possibility. However, if they take the time to ask others for their insights and knowledge, the new leader can develop a network of advisers whom they find indispensable.
3. Keep your words short.
"The biggest lesson I've learned about leadership is the outsized impact your words suddenly have on others.
"As a peer or teammate, you can often speak openly and say whatever comes to mind. As a leader, you must realize that almost everything you say is scrutinized and carefully memorized (and often repeated). For this reason, listen much more than talk.
“Now, as a more experienced leader, I find myself listening almost all the time and only speaking when I think it's necessary. »
—Josh Bersin , Director and Founder of Bersin by Deloitte
The effective use of words helps a new leader avoid controversy and ensures that they absorb information from their surroundings. If they spend all their time talking, they will miss the signs of conflict or the subtle strengths of each of their employees.
A new leader will have a lot to learn in their first year. But by following the advice of leadership experts and learning as they go, they can find a way to succeed in their new position.
Related: 7 personality traits of a great leader
