Be upfront about expectations in terms of work quality, deadlines, communication while holding the team accountable Earn team trust, respect, show confidence in leadership, decisions and prepare well for the topic of presentation/ meetings Remember that "Authoritative Leadership" is based on confidence level exhibited by the leader Cultivate approachability by listening to the team's ideas, suggestions while showing a will to consider new approaches Be friendly while interacting with the team. Focus on making eye contact during communication and smile to encourage collaboration The key ingredient to approachability is "Empathy". It helps avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation of communication Build strong relationships

- Remember that your authority in leadership comes from the permission granted to you by those you lead. If you lose their trust, you lose their permission, and you lose your effectiveness. - No matter what kind of work you’re doing, leadership is about people. Put people first. - Don’t try to emulate anyone else’s form of leadership. Be yourself. Be authentic. - Establish clear and fair expectations at the outset. Create buy-in to those expectations by making your team a part of setting those and agreement about the accountability process. People believe in what they help create and you’ll have far more success with your team at the table with you. And, remember, an unstated expectation can never be met.

To be both approachable and authoritative as a first-time leader, set clear expectations and communicate openly. Show genuine interest in your team by listening actively and being available, which builds trust. Make decisions with confidence but stay open to input, demonstrating humility and adaptability. Lead by example with integrity and follow through on commitments, fostering respect and accountability. By balancing warmth with clarity in your vision, you’ll create an environment where your team feels valued and motivated to achieve shared goals.

Stepping into leadership for the first time? Remember this: authority comes from clarity, approachability comes from humility. Set expectations upfront: Clearly outline goals, roles, and responsibilities. When people know what’s expected, they’ll respect your authority without needing constant reminders. Stay curious, not closed: Seek feedback, show you’re here to learn too. Mentoring is a two-way street—being open to others’ perspectives makes you accessible and adaptable. Model accountability: When you own mistakes openly, you set a standard of trust and make approachability part of the team’s culture. Great Leadership starts with Self-Leadership, which starts with Self-Awareness.

Stepping into a leadership role is all about balancing approachability with authority. Get to know your team and start to build meaningful relationships. Find out what motivates them, what they’re struggling with, what they’re good at, what makes them tick. When you listen properly and communicate honestly, you build trust and respect – so be clear on your expectations as well as theirs. And have confidence in yourself - you’re there for a reason!