Entering a leadership position for the first time is an exciting yet daunting milestone. Throughout my career as a marketing professional and a leadership coach, I’ve observed a common tendency among new leaders to strive to make an immediate impact by ‘stamping their mark’ on their new position. While this may be well-intentioned, it’s a surefire way to erode authority.
I fell into this trap early in my career. My desire to prove myself caused me to rush and dominate decisions, undermining the authority I sought to build. Fortunately, I received some telling and pointed feedback from my colleagues that has stuck with me to this day.
Here are four things I learned from my experience:
1. Pause Before You Prove: Before jumping in to assert yourself, check in with what’s happening inside. Start by asking: How secure am I feeling right now? Sit with that answer. If your instinct is to take charge, challenge it. What would happen if you paused instead? What might you learn by asking others what they think first? Create space between instinct and action—and choose curiosity over control.
2. Lead With Calm Confidence: Vulnerability may feel risky, but showing it early builds trust and lasting credibility. When faced with a challenge, don’t default to having all the answers. Instead, name the issue clearly, walk through possible solutions, and then open the floor for discussion. Let your team weigh in. Calm presence—more than control—is what earns confidence.
3. Create a Space, Not a Spotlight: Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. By giving others time to speak, question, and debate among themselves, you can sit back and absorb the meaning and directions that emerge. Resist the temptation to jump in and instead let natural rhythms take shape.
4. Decide With Intent and Clarity: When you’ve heard all the inputs, take time to synthesize what’s been said and formulate your view on what needs to happen. Ask yourself these questions: Was there a view that gained more currency than others? Did you get a balanced sense of the right course of action through this discourse? Use these insights to shape your decision.
Stepping into a leadership role isn’t about having all the answers on day one. It’s about building trust, making sound decisions, and creating an environment where others can do their best work. If you focus on listening first, staying grounded, and leading with intention, your credibility will grow naturally.
Founded in 2004, Lead Star is the company behind the best-selling books SPARK, Leading from the Front, and Bet on You. Our mission is to support our clients in achieving better results through their people. By developing better leaders at every level, we help organizations unlock the essential capabilities needed to elevate their performance.
