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3 min readFeb 26, 2025

Four Ways To Improve Your Leadership Skills As A New Leader

Stepping into leadership for the first time can be exhilarating, overwhelming, and challenging.

Many companies are promoting employees into leadership roles because they excel at hard skills.

However, the hard skills alone will not make you successful in your new leadership role. It’s all about your people skills and how you relate to those you lead that will make or break you.

As a first-time leader, you want to make a good first impression, and many companies expect you to be polished and refined from day one. However, you will make some mistakes and need to learn from them.

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

There is a reason the windshield in your car is larger than the rearview mirror. You cannot move forward by always looking in the rearview mirror. Don’t constantly beat yourself up for the mistakes you make. Learn from them, and keep moving forward.

Use the past as a school to learn from, not a hammer to beat yourself up constantly.

Here are four strategies you can implement as a new leader to help you build a strong foundation in your leadership journey.

  1. Be a good listener.

Never assume or act like you have all the answers. Engage your team members. Bounce ideas off your team when you are faced with a problem. Team members often have great ideas, but we never tap into that resource because we think we should have all the answers and solutions to the issues

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Listening is a part of the communication process — in fact, it is the most essential part.

Learn about your team members. Have one-on-one meetings with all team members. Find out their passions, what makes them tick, and professional goals.

These conversations will help you make better-informed decisions and show the team that you value their opinion.

2. Don’t change everything in one day.

One of the biggest mistakes new leaders make is assuming they must have all the answers immediately. Instead of rushing to make significant changes, take the time to observe, listen, and learn about your team and the organization. Meet with team members individually, ask questions, and understand their challenges, goals, and perspectives. This helps you make informed decisions and shows you respect and value your team’s input.

3. Communicate Clearly and Openly

Be a good communicator. Be clear about your goals and expectations for the team. Part of the communication process is listening. Create an environment where team members are comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Creating open dialogue will go a long way toward building trust between you and your team members. Always be honest about what you know, what you have done, and your plans for the future.

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

4. Show you care

Leadership isn’t just about hitting a target. It’s about your people. Take an interest in your team members as individuals. Learn their names, understand their strengths, and acknowledge their contributions. Small gestures like making small talk with your employees and recognizing their work will go a long way toward getting buy-in from your team and fostering an environment of trust.

As a new leader, you will face challenges and make some mistakes. What matters most is how you respond. You must be willing to adapt, listen to feedback, and continuously improve. Encourage your team to share their insights and show them that their opinions matter. This will strengthen your leadership and foster a culture of collaboration and trust.

By focusing on these key principles, you will make a positive impression as a first-time leader. Leadership is a journey. You must be willing to learn and grow. This will set you up for long-term success in your leadership journey.

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Ken Filler
Ken Filler

Written by Ken Filler

Ghostwriter. Speaker, Inspiring leaders and everyday people on how to live a productive life in this busy world. Contact me at jamior662002@yahoo.com

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