Your First Leadership Role: Insights from real leaders who’ve been there.
Your First Leadership Role: What No One Tells You
Stepping into your first leadership role is an exciting milestone — but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. Future Leaders' recent webinar, "Your First Leadership Role: What No One Tells You," brought together experienced leaders and emerging managers to explore the real challenges new leaders face — the ones no training manual warns you about.
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation.
1. Leadership Comes with Hidden Responsibilities
The first shock for many new leaders? Realising that leadership is about much more than delivering results.
Sean shared how, when leading a shutdown team at a power plant, the responsibility for his team's safety weighed heavily on him — a reality that hadn't fully hit until he was in the role. Leadership isn’t just about KPIs; it’s about people’s wellbeing too.
Key insight:
✅ Leadership means carrying real responsibility for your team's success, safety, and growth.
2. You’re Always on Show
Ian reflected on how quickly he realised people treated him differently once he became a manager. A simple question from a leader can trigger urgency, anxiety, or confusion if not handled carefully.
Every action, email, and conversation sets the tone for your team — whether you intend it or not.
Key insight:
✅ As a leader, you’re creating culture every single day through your behaviour.
3. You Will Need to provide "Air Cover"
Sarah described the need for new leaders to act as a filter between senior leadership and their own teams, especially when upper management’s mood or politics could create stress.
Being the "umbrella" for your team — absorbing pressure from above without letting it rain down on them — is an unexpected but essential part of the role.
Key insight:
✅ Shielding your team from unnecessary stress is part of great leadership.
4. Mistakes Are Inevitable – and Valuable
Everyone in the conversation agreed: mistakes will happen, and that’s OK.
The key is to create a psychologically safe environment where mistakes become learning opportunities rather than sources of fear.
Sarah recommended using the simple framework of Stop, Start, Continue in one-to-one meetings to gather feedback from your team and show that you’re open to learning too.
Key insight:
✅ Cultivating psychological safety is critical — for you and your team’s growth.
5. Find Your Own Leadership Style (and Stay Humble)
Several leaders reflected on the temptation to mimic others — especially when working under senior leaders whose style might not align with your own values.
Manuel shared a powerful story of recognising when his own boss began adopting toxic behaviours — and having the courage to call it out.
The consensus: you have to find your own authentic leadership style — and adapt it to the needs of your people and the situation.
Key insight:
✅ Authenticity and flexibility beat rigid leadership styles every time.
6. What We Wish We'd Known
As the session wrapped up, participants shared the advice they'd give their younger selves:
Don't take it personally. (Sarah)
Focus on the people, not the ‘doing.’ (Ian)
Create environments for questions, not just answers. (Sean)
Stay humble. Let the team shine. (Richard)
It’s reassuring to know that no leader gets it all right straight away — and that great leadership is a journey of continual learning, reflection, and growth.
Final Thoughts
Your first leadership role is full of surprises — some inspiring, some humbling.
The Future Leaders community is here to make sure you don’t have to navigate it alone.
👉 If you found this helpful, watch the full webinar recording https://youtu.be/DxNA7nwWgnk?si=7RXXAWyJafdR8N_6
👉 Interested in mentoring or joining our events? Get in touch .
