Taking on a first leadership role is a huge step in anyone’s career. You’re entering unfamiliar territory, which can be scary. With the new role will come new responsibilities. As a new leader, you will want to make sure that you are navigating this transition smoothly. Below are a few tips you can use as you make that transition.
Listen to Others
When you start a new leadership position, it’s natural to be excited and want to get going on what you can do to improve things around you. However, before you do this, listen to what others have to say. Pay attention to the needs of everyone around you. What are their needs, goals, and priorities? What is getting in their way? How can you help them while still holding them accountable? Check out these tips for practicing active listening.
Practice Empathy
It can be hard communicating with those who used to be your peers. They might have even applied for the same leadership position you have now. Therefore, it will help to be empathetic. Focus on identifying with others and understanding their point of view. Take a genuine interest in the people around you. What angers them, what inspires them, and how do they feel? You will want to understand why people are the way they are. This will help you connect with them and build trust. Check out these ways to practice empathy.
Be Present
Make sure you are present and being seen. While you will have a lot of work to do, you don’t want to stay in your office all the time. Walk around and visit informally with those around you. Make sure others know you are accessible. This will help with building relationships as well as helping others to feel comfortable talking with you.
Inspire
As Simon Sinek stated in his TED Talk, great leaders inspire action. They don’t discourage. You will want to inspire others around you to do better and be better. Talk with them and find ways to inspire them. It will take active listening, empathy, and being present in order to know how to successfully inspire your team.
Own Mistakes
You’re human. You’re going to make mistakes. As long as you own up to them and don’t make the same mistakes over and over again, you’ll be okay. You don’t want to blame others when things go wrong. Don’t make excuses. Own up to the mistake and learn from it.
Have any tips you’d add to this list? Feel free to leave comments with your suggestions.
