Hi everyone!

After years of hard work, I just got my first position in a leadership role! Yay! I’ll be leading a team of 12.
I wanted to know if you had any tips for me, things you wish you knew before, or things previous leaders did for/to you that you found admirable or stayed with you. I want to make sure I’m there for them and want to be a leader they will remember positively.

Thank you so much!!

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When I started, I got myself a leadership coach.
The first thing she asked me to think about was all the leaders in my past who had inspired me to do my best work and what qualities about their leadership style did I want to emulate.

That was a VERY short list.

So then she asked the opposite- of all the leaders in my past I didn’t respect or admire, why qualities about them did I find uninspired, degrading and things I would never want to repeat.

This was a very large list.

So then she said see, you already know why you don’t want to do - so what would the opposite of each of those be? How do you feel about those qualities? Is that something you want to do?

I found the exercise quite enlightening as it helped me realize I already had the right approach and skills - I just needed help to see it.

I think the best advice I can give is this: it’s not about you anymore, it’s about them. It’s their time to learn and grow and it’s your job to help them get to their next level. Be patient, listen and don’t forget to carve out time for you. My biggest mistake in my first year has been prioritizing everyone and everything else above myself .. and I have come quite close to the breaking point.

Remember, you wouldn’t have got the gig if you weren’t ready. You’ve got this. Congrats on the promo!!

likesmart

Congratulations!
Thoughts that came to mind…
Do you want to build leaders or followers?
Analyze what is a closed door conversation and when you should leave the door open.
Watch that you don’t create favorites on accident. Sometimes people who need the most attention for compliance or growth are viewed by others as favorites.
Watch out for the introverts. The extroverts will be coming to you, no problem. The introverts may need you to come to them. Consider a biweekly meeting with them.
My personal opinion is to leave out emojis in emails but for whatever reason, using them helps set the appropriate tone in a email to help the recipient know your emotion when writing it.
Be careful who you trust. Do not ever complain or be critical about your boss, unless it is to them, behind closed doors, to only their ears. Plus I wouldn’t “complain,” I would share what you need from them to be successful and work towards it together.
I wish you much luck!!

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