LEADING WHEN YOU ARE THE NEW GUY

Jocelyne Msigwa
Sep 6, 2018 · 4 min read

New guy fever! Oh man, do you know how people feel when they are expecting a new leader to come and take over?

Let me take you through:

“Here comes another idiot guy to boss us around”

“I really hated Joe, he was very controlling. If this guy will be nice, I will give him a try”

“Oh my God, I can’t believe they are seriously bringing someone else to take this place. I am good enough, why couldn’t they pick me??”

“This place is full of serious problems, and all they do is bring us a new inexperienced guy from… nobody really cares where?”

“I am excited, I hope this guy will bring the change that we all need”

So, we can all agree that there will be those who are positive and there will be those who are entirely negative. But hey, its their perspective and they have every right to think anything they want to think.

When you are a new leader in a certain community, company, organization or religious denomination, you need to know that people are expecting something better something more and something different compared to the previous leader. Even if they are negative about it. So the highest ranking activity on your job description is to deliver!

  1. You only have one opportunity to make the first impression, Please Nail it! We shouldn’t even be talking about this, I mean seriously work hard to ensure you appear as how you need to be addressed. Be damn good, the hand shake is firm, the attire is sharp, the choice of words is delightful, and most importantly the humor and charisma makes those you are speaking to feel very good about themselves. All this, should be clarified and translated from day 1 to the day you retire, resign or get fired as a leader. And by the way, congratulations. If you’ve gotten there, a number of your good qualities and experiences have brought you there. But buckle up, you need to do more to keep up with the new job.
  2. Earn your leadership. Earn it everyday. If you are new, you should understand that your new people will be following you because of your tittle and so without wasting time, you need to drastically show them that you truly deserve the place because you can deliver. Provide a short term win, please if you are going to demand something from your people, make sure it makes sense- give orders that are realistic and practical, effectively listen to your people, if you want them to wholeheartedly cooperate with you. The goal is to earn it.
  3. Be willing to learn. There is always something you could learn from someone. Imagine how much you could learn from every single person you are leading. The rule behind this: listen more, talk less. I think I would refer my self as the most talkative person in my family and among my friends, and I can tell you.. it is not a good place to be in. Just shut up! I had to learn this the hard way (That’s a story for another time). People love it when you listen to what they have to say, they appreciate it. If you pay close attention to what they have to say, there are endless things you will eventually learn about who they are, their jobs, and how you could lead them better. The willingness to learn doesn’t only end with listening to your people, it is also choosing to grow everyday by reading, observing, asking questions and most importantly practicing the things you have learned.

What I love most about leadership, is the privilege to influence the lives of the people that I have been entrusted with while simultaneously drive results and change their lives for the good. The beauty that comes out of that, is if you lead well wherever you are now, even if you are the new guy.. People will always remember the impact you’ve had in their personal lives and in their jobs no matter where else you’ll go to lead. Leadership is leaving a print in the hearts of people by simply being the best version of yourself.

So, as a new guy leading your people, leave that print from the very first day, or that first month, or even on that first year, and everyday onwards. Be the best they have ever had!

Until next time.

Lynne.

Also check: https://leadingwhen.wordpress.com/

Jocelyne Msigwa
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