Overcome 1st Timer Syndrome and Take Your Next New Leadership Role
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Of course, I’m not downplaying the syndrome and its impact. It’s daunting to step into a new leadership role. Everything first is scary, and leadership is no exception. Understanding the severity of the condition, I wrote a book titled "Overcoming 1st Timer Syndrome" with the aim to empower first-time team leaders, supervisors, project managers and new business owners with 11 antidotes to thrive beyond first-time leadership pitfalls.
However, the book is relevant to anyone who is struggling to step up and take lead. If you’ve been hesitating to jump in and take some leadership responsibilities. here are a couple of things you could do to lessen the impact and shorten the lifespan of the syndrome:
- Know the role very well. Increase your awareness by speaking to those who have been in that role. Knowledge takes away any mystery. With knowing comes confidence.
- Learn as you lead. Don’t wait till you ‘feel’ confident and ready. Begin leading right away.
- Seek mentoring. To be successful in your new role, seek coaching and mentoring. You will be surprised how many senior leaders are willing to lend you support.
Some options to get you started:
Assegid (AZ) Habtewold is a MPI Potomac Leadership Committee volunteer and the author of Overcoming 1st Timer Syndrome, Amazon’s #1 Best Seller, and is a transformation strategist who empowers leaders to create and nurture to leverage a unique culture for a competitive edge. He also designs and deliver leadership programs for Emerging, Middle, and Executive leaders. AZ is also the host of Pick Yourself Up show that airs on MMCTV Channel 16. To read the entire bio of AZ, check his profile page.
The views expressed by our guest writers are their opinions and not necessarily those of MPI Potomac.
