Thrown in the Deep End: Navigating Leadership with Anna Morris

Transitioning into leadership often means stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. In Thrown in the Deep End, Anna Morris reflects on her early leadership journey, starting as a lawyer and later stepping into her first formal leadership role as an HR Manager in a manufacturing organization. Her most profound realization? "The best leaders have character." Authenticity and staying true to oneself became her guiding principles.

Like many first-time leaders, Anna initially struggled with the pressure to have all the answers and avoided tough conversations. She admits, “Trying to be someone I wasn’t made things harder, not easier.” Over time, she discovered the power of embracing vulnerability and leaning on her team’s diverse perspectives.

Early in her career, Anna learned the importance of building a team with varied skills and viewpoints. She shares, “Surround yourself with people who come with all different perspectives. That’s how you make balanced decisions.” This approach helped her overcome the challenges of managing technical areas outside her expertise.

"Be Authentic to Connect"

Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. Anna emphasizes the value of being open and genuine with your team. She explains, “People want to work for someone who’s human. If you can’t be yourself, you’ll struggle to connect personally.”

Anna’s journey highlights the importance of learning through experience, embracing judgment over technical precision, and valuing relationships over rigid expectations. Her advice to emerging leaders? “Don’t overanalyze it—get to know your people, trust yourself, and just be present.”

Leadership is a constant evolution of learning, adapting, and growing. For new leaders navigating their path or experienced leaders reflecting on their growth, Thrown in the Deep End offers timeless insights and practical lessons for overcoming challenges and leading with authenticity.