From the perspective of an outsider, being a new boss is actually rather enjoyable. As you assume the positions, you will encounter additional problems and difficulties. Many new managers pledge to play fair as soon as they take the helm. But you’re on your own to deal with this. Mentions of help are merely rhetorical.

 

This is the case for me, for many others before me, and for many more to come. Therefore, I choose to reminisce and record some of those points. These are the essential lessons I’ve acquired through experience and am now disseminating to others. I prefer to keep it brief. The vast majority of the issues don’t require any further explanation. This is because you were present or can easily recall them. The only catch is how challenging it is to put them into action.

 

Attempting to sit down and put the points in a reasonable sequence was my goal. I hope the effort put into this arrangement has been somewhat justified. Allow me to start at the beginning:

 

1. The High of Leadership Is Incredible—Until It Isn’t

The first rush of a promotion is the sense of accomplishment and worthiness it brings. Despite its apparent grandeur, the feeling quickly fades away. Just like “வாமா மின்னல்”. You were unprepared for the unexpected burden of duty that follows. The primary one is your circle of friends. The circle of friends you once had will no longer exist as it was.

 

How do you lead without losing your identity? My thoughts are with you.

 

2. It’s Okay If You Don’t Know Everything.

They will consistently put immense pressure on you. They will force you to make a decision despite the uncertainty.

 

Putting on an act of “knowing it all” is a fallacy. Instead, you should strive to be curious at all times. Your blood pressure will appreciate it if you get to this plane quicker.

 

What you need to do is precisely this. You can learn the art of asking the right questions instead of giving perfect answers.

 

3. Some relationships will surprise you—they change.

Handling former colleagues brings about a change in dynamics. Until you hear the news, they are pleased with you. The moment you hear the news, everything changes forever. It is absolutely true in 100/100 cases. There is always a lingering sense of jealousy.

 

There has been a sudden gulf in communication among co-workers with whom I used to confide everything. Having casual get-togethers like lunch or tea now resulted in more formal and restricted sharing. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling at all.

 

So the moot question is: We need to know how to earn respect and trust without becoming overbearing.

 

4. Refusing Requests Is More Difficult Than You Anticipated

An air of helpfulness will surround you always. The pressure to satisfy everyone is constant (spoiler alert: it’s impossible; source: I’m still making an effort to win over my wife). You know the outcome.

 

On the surface, most of the questions could appear to be effortless. Even if it may be the easier choice, “YES” isn’t always correct. Sometimes you need to assert your style, which requires a resounding “NO”.

 

So I am asking you: how can you establish limits without coming across as unapproachable?

 

5. Until You Get the Hang of It, It’s Tough to Give Hard Criticism.

This is usually a challenging task. When thrust into the ring for the first time, it’s difficult to provide constructive criticism. Sometimes you have to give the direct message, even if your teams are confident in their abilities. If you try to sugar-coat things, it will never work, notwithstanding your original reaction.

 

At some point, we must figure out how to be truthful without taking it personally.

 

You need to reflect on how the pressures of the job make it easy to ignore constructive criticism, despite its importance.

 

6. Managing Up is more Important as Managing Down

In addition to leading your team, you must also meet the expectations of those in higher positions. The demand gets more outrageous as your authorities move higher up in the tree. The true challenge lies in maintaining alignment while simultaneously advocating for your team. You need to balance advocacy for your team with staying aligned with the organisation’s goals.

 

How to do that? When you know your boss’s style, you’ll have an easier time managing it.

 

7. After 90 days, you will repeatedly ask yourself if this is indeed your true calling.

You are the only one who will be aware of the silent fight going on in the room. You may find yourself trying not to cry when you’re alone, yet maintaining a tough demeanour when others are around. As a new boss, you may experience what is known as the imposter syndrome. You need to act tough even when you are scared.

 

You will need to overcome your self-doubt repeatedly without losing your composure.

 

Concerned about your emotions, it is crucial to look for a mentor, to keep learning, and to be kind to yourself.

 

8. No Matter How Hard You Work, Someone Will Always Get Credit When Your Team Succeeds.

Being unnoticed is frequently a leadership quality. Embrace the fact that you won’t always be the centre of attention. Here’s the heads-up if you crave attention. From this point on, it’s not about you at all.

 

Group successes now receive more recognition than individual ones, and you must understand this for your own survival. Naturally, it is your responsibility to take the lead when it comes to accountability.

 

Perhaps you need to reason out why it’s more satisfying to celebrate the success of your team than to receive individual praise.

 

9. Influence, Not Control, Is What Matters Most

Your manager appeared to be micromanaging when he did it while you were an individual contributor. Once you’re in his shoes, he’ll tell you to stop micromanaging and start trusting your staff. Yes, you must concede this fact. Inspiring rather than enforcing responsibility is a skill you’ll need.

 

Let’s address the topic directly. To be in a leadership role, you must discover the surprising impact of genuine empathy and honesty.

 

At last,

10. You’ll Reflect and Understand – You’re Also Developing

Along the process, you’ll experience some small changes. You won’t see it for at least two years because it’s too subtle.

 

Your perspective and professional trajectory are both influenced by the leadership responsibilities you take on. Your perspective on humanity remains unchanged. When they do change, you will have truly emerged as a leader.

 

Mistakes teach us the best lessons, and learning is a continuous process.

 

So the final logic behind this blog:

“Facing the challenges of leadership but not knowing how to begin? Together, we can unravel the mysteries of first-time management. There is help available if you are struggling with feedback or figuring out how to work in a team with difficult dynamics. Get in touch right away—because all good managers need help at first.

 

I’m Waiting. You know where to reach me: contactme@simplifyme.in