Starting a new leadership role is an exciting yet challenging time. What you do before you begin can significantly impact your success in the first 90 days and beyond. It’s easy to rely on what worked in the past, but falling into certain traps can derail your progress. Here’s how to identify and avoid four common pitfalls.
1. The Lingering Trap
When wrapping up your current role, it’s tempting to stay overly involved in tasks and decisions, even as you prepare to leave. You might find it hard to step back from critical projects or let go of responsibilities. While this might feel like you’re ensuring a smooth transition, it can delay your preparation for the next role and leave colleagues wondering why you’re still so involved.
What to Do Instead:
Clearly define your exit plan with your boss, including how responsibilities will be handed off and your involvement in finding or mentoring a successor.
Reflect on what might be holding you back, like concerns about your team’s readiness or your identity without the role, and take steps to address these fears.
Write down key accomplishments to bring closure and help craft the story you’ll share in your new position.
Develop a script to decline additional requests, freeing up time to focus on your next chapter.
2. The Adrenaline Trap
Leadership roles often come with high energy, pressure, and recognition. Transitioning between jobs might feel like a good time to stay in “go mode,” but neglecting to truly rest and recharge can take a toll on your health, relationships, and ability to perform at your best.
What to Do Instead:
Conduct a personal check-in on your physical and mental health to identify areas for improvement.
Take time to reflect on any emotions tied to leaving your current role, such as sadness or anxiety, and talk to trusted peers for advice and support.
Focus on healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and nutrition to build resilience.
Involve loved ones in planning how you’ll balance the demands of your new role with personal responsibilities.
3. The Judgment Trap
It’s natural to start thinking about challenges and opportunities in your new organization before you start. However, forming rigid conclusions about what needs to change can lead to missteps. Acting too quickly without fully understanding the environment can alienate stakeholders and steer you in the wrong direction.
What to Do Instead:
Gather insights from interviews and early interactions, noting any questions or gaps in your understanding.
Stay mindful of personal biases, such as favoring certain viewpoints or being overly optimistic.
Test your assumptions through conversations with key stakeholders, focusing on listening rather than pushing your agenda.
Develop a strategy that evolves as you learn more about the organization and its needs.
4. The Dogma Trap
Leaders often bring their own styles, methods, and past successes to new roles. While experience is valuable, rigidly applying old strategies to a different context can lead to poor decisions and missed opportunities.
What to Do Instead:
Start by asking what the organization can achieve at its best and what it needs to win.
Identify the organization’s strengths and biggest growth opportunities.
Understand the challenges holding it back and consider how to address them.
Compare your findings to successful models you’ve seen, but adapt them to fit the unique context of your new role.
Use this information to create a flexible plan for the organization’s future.
Final Thoughts
The preparation you do before stepping into a leadership role sets the tone for your success. Avoid relying solely on past experiences or rushing to conclusions. Instead, focus on finishing your current role with clarity, replenishing your energy, and taking a thoughtful approach to understanding your new environment.
By being intentional, you’ll position yourself to lead effectively and confidently in the critical first months and beyond.
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