Six things no one tells you about becoming a leader
Becoming a leader for the first time can be isolating. Here’s what the management playbooks don’t tell you, and some advice on dealing with the new dynamic....
Leadership (Brain Circuits)
New to leadership? Start here
Stepping into leadership for the first time is like arriving in a new country. The language shifts. Expectations multiply. Suddenly, you’re no longer measured by what you deliver but by how your team performs. Susanne May identifies five foundational lessons you need to absorb quickly – and the impact you create when you do.
Lesson 1: You’re not the smartest person in the room – and you’re not supposed to be
If you are, you’re either hiring poorly or underutilizing your team. The real work of leadership begins when you stop trying to prove yourself and start listening for insight.
Ask yourself:
- “What am I missing in how I’m thinking about this?”
- “Who’s seen something like this before?”
What this does:
You shift from solution provider to strength amplifier. People think with you, not for you, which means they contribute more.
Lesson 2. Clarity is not a luxury: it’s your job
Most performance issues aren’t rooted in attitude. They stem from unclear priorities, vague ownership, and unspoken assumptions.
Ask yourself:
- “What is our most important objective this week?”
- “What would ‘done well’ look like for this task or project?”
What this does:
It reveals gaps early, sharpens alignment, and eliminates second-guessing. You create direction, not confusion.
Trust doesn’t follow hierarchy; it follows earned autonomy.
Lesson 3. Action beats precision – every time
Waiting until you’re sure often means acting too late. The best new leaders set direction, test quickly, and adapt in public.
Say:
- “This is version one. Let’s pressure-test it.”
- “I don’t have the perfect answer, but here’s a starting point.”
What this does:
It normalizes experimentation. You build pace, reduce fear, and show that progress matters more than polish.
Lesson 4. You don’t need to make every decision
When leaders hold on too tightly, they become bottlenecks. Trust doesn’t follow hierarchy; it follows earned autonomy.
Ask your team:
- “What decision would you make if I weren’t here?”
- “What do you need from me to move forward with confidence?”
What this does:
It signals ownership. You accelerate your decisions and develop people instead of disempowering them.
Lesson 5. Your presence speaks louder than your words
Teams take emotional cues from their leaders. If your energy signals stress, urgency, or defensiveness, that’s what people will mirror – no matter what you say.
Ask yourself:
- “What tone am I setting right now?”
- “Am I reinforcing focus or creating pressure?”
What this does:
You show up with intention. You calm doubt and anxiety and lead by signal, not noise.
Final thoughts
The first steps in leadership matter more than most people realize. How you lead in your first months sets the tone for everything that follows. Start by listening well, asking sharper questions, and acting before it’s perfect and you’ll build trust that lasts. Leadership today isn’t about knowing more; it’s about creating clarity when others can’t. Get that right early, and the rest gets easier.
Authors
Related
Is your leadership blind to neurodivergence?
Learn practical strategies for recognizing neurodivergence in the workplace, turning behavioral differences into strengths through culture-aware leadership....
How to be a good mentor
Learn how great mentors listen, ask better questions, and guide growth—helping mentees gain clarity, confidence, and take meaningful next steps...
Bricklayer to architect: Seven transitions for leaders
Understand the seven major changes in leadership mindset and capabilities required for successful transition to enterprise leadership, as detailed by Michael D. Watkins....
Learn Brain Circuits
Join us for daily exercises focusing on issues from team building to developing an actionable sustainability plan to personal development. Go on - they only take five minutes.
Explore Leadership
What makes a great leader? Do you need charisma? How do you inspire your team? Our experts offer actionable insights through first-person narratives, behind-the-scenes interviews and The Help Desk.
Join Membership
Log in here to join in the conversation with the I by IMD community. Your subscription grants you access to the quarterly magazine plus daily articles, videos, podcasts and learning exercises.