3 Common Mistakes That New Leaders Make

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Are you new to leadership? Perhaps you’ve recently been promoted to a manager role and find yourself excited and overwhelmed by new responsibilities.

Leadership is a crucial trait that all managers need to have. But just because you’re a manager doesn’t mean you’re a leader, says Julie Zhuo, author of the bestselling book, The Making of a Manager.

As more people make the mental shift away from being just a manager with a specific job into the larger mindset of being a respected leader, they often face challenges and make mistakes.

Here are three common mistakes new leaders make:

Feeling they need to have all the answers.

New leaders often fall into the trap of feeling they need to be the smartest person in the room. A leader doesn’t need to have all answers, they just need to know where they can find those answers and who they can talk to. Leaders are continually learning and growing, just like everyone else.

Feeling like they need to know how to do the roles of their employees as well or better than they do.

Employees are in their roles for a reason. A leader can’t expect to do everyone’s job incredibly well because then there wouldn’t be a need for the team. When everyone—leaders included—focuses on their unique strengths and responsibilities, the team can progress together. 

Feeling of superiority or getting a big head from a promotion.

Being a leader doesn’t make someone better than someone else. The best leaders are humble and look for ways to serve their people instead of feeling superior to them.

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Over the last 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking and working with some of the world's top leaders. Here are 15 of the best leadership lessons that I learned from the CEOs of organizations like Netflix, Honeywell, Volvo, Best Buy, The Home Depot, and others. I hope they inspire you and give you things you can try in your work and life. Get the PDF here.

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Being a manager doesn’t make you a leader. But all managers need to move into the role of leadership and adopt a new mindset of leading, motivating, and setting a vision for their people.

There will certainly be struggles and a learning curve along the way. Look out for these common mistakes as you continue down the path to becoming a great leader. 

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