[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_bottom=”2px” border_color_bottom=”#097BD8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The Leadership Lessons We Wish We\u2019d Known: Advice to Our Younger Selves” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Stepping into a leadership role for the first time is both exhilarating and overwhelming. It comes with the weight of expectations\u2014our own, our team\u2019s, and our organisation\u2019s. Looking back, there are so many things we wish we had understood earlier.<\/p>\n
When we sat down to reflect on our early leadership experiences, we couldn\u2019t help but laugh\u2014at the mistakes, the self-doubt, and the things we wish we\u2019d known sooner.<\/p>\n
Between us, we\u2019ve spent decades leading teams, developing leadership capability, and coaching others through their leadership journeys. We\u2019ve worked across various industries in both internal and consultancy roles and have seen leadership from every angle.<\/p>\n
Now, as Programme Leads helping emerging leaders step into leadership roles with confidence, we want to share what we\u2019ve learned.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a new leader\u2014or supporting someone who is\u2014we hope these insights help you navigate the challenges ahead with a little less stress (and a lot more confidence).<\/p>\n
If we could sit down with our younger selves\u2014those fresh-faced, slightly nervous new leaders\u2014here\u2019s what we\u2019d say.<\/p>\n
1. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships<\/strong><\/p>\n If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: relationships<\/strong> matter more than deliverables<\/strong>. That might sound controversial, but hear me out.<\/p>\n When I was a Business Manager in a large global team, I was laser-focused on performance\u2014understanding opportunities, collating data, driving delivery. I worked hard to ensure high standards, and I nudged (and sometimes chased) people along the way. But looking back, I realise I underestimated the power of building deeper, trusting relationships.<\/p>\n Had I invested more in those connections, I might have understood the real challenges my colleagues faced, particularly those working in completely different contexts from my own. I might have been able to bridge the \u2018distance\u2019 between our UK office and our teams across Africa in a way that data alone never could.<\/p>\n Now, I know that strong relationships create strong outcomes. The work still gets done\u2014but with more trust<\/strong>, collaboration<\/strong>, and shared commitment<\/strong> to success.<\/p>\n 2. Zoom Out<\/strong> I have always had a strength in detail orientation (yes, I ask lots of questions\u2014sorry!). But in my early leadership roles, I didn\u2019t understand how to manage this. I would get so deep into the weeds that I sometimes lost sight of the broader vision.<\/p>\n A great leader once encouraged me to get involved in different areas, pushing me to zoom out when I was too focused on minutiae. At the time, I didn\u2019t fully appreciate what he was doing\u2014but now, I do. He was helping me develop the ability to see beyond my immediate responsibilities and my organisation at the time to connect my work to the wider sector and world of leadership.<\/p>\n Today, I have built my strategic muscles. I reflect regularly, review progress, and ensure I\u2019m aligned with long-term goals. It\u2019s a habit I wish I had built sooner.<\/p>\n 3. Look for Strengths<\/strong> I wonder how many of my team members struggled simply because I hadn\u2019t helped them uncover where they added the most value. Leadership isn\u2019t about changing people; it\u2019s about unlocking potential<\/strong>. And I wish I had known then what I know now about using strengths as a foundation for high-performing teams.<\/p>\n 4. Be Your Authentic Self\u2014Everyone Else is Taken<\/strong> The turning point? Gaining clarity on my own values and purpose. Once I understood what I stood for, I became more confident, built deeper trust, and connected with people in a much more meaningful way. If I could go back, I\u2019d tell myself: Your own shoes are just fine! (I actually had great shoes) You\u2019ll be a far better leader when you lead as yourself.<\/em><\/p>\n 5. Understand Other People\u2019s Perspectives Properly<\/strong> People have a lot going on. Timing, stress levels, external pressures\u2014all of these factors affect how someone receives information. One of the biggest lessons I\u2019ve learned is that listening deeply and being mindful of how (and when) I communicate makes a massive difference.<\/p>\n Not every conversation will go as planned, and that\u2019s okay. What matters is being aware of what else might be influencing the dynamic. (On that note, I\u2019m currently listening to Nihal Arthanayake\u2019s \u201cLet\u2019s Talk<\/strong><\/em>\u201d, which explores the art of meaningful conversations\u2014it\u2019s fascinating.)<\/p>\n 6. Not Knowing the Answer is Absolutely Fine<\/strong> Now? I know that admitting \u201cI don\u2019t know\u201d is one of the most powerful things<\/strong> a leader can do.<\/p>\n Asking questions like: What am I missing? What other perspectives should we consider?<\/em>, or simply Tell me more about your ideas<\/em> – has transformed the way I lead. Not only does it take the pressure off, but it also invites collaboration and innovation in a way that having all the answers never could.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”4px|auto||auto||” border_width_bottom=”2px” border_color_bottom=”#097BD8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Key Takeaways” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”||22px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u2714 Relationships drive results \u2013 Focus on building trust, not just delivering tasks.” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”24px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u2714 Relationships drive results<\/strong> \u2013 Focus on building trust, not just delivering tasks.<\/p>\n \u2714 Step back and see the bigger picture<\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t get stuck in the weeds of daily work.<\/p>\n \u2714 Leverage strengths<\/strong> \u2013 People thrive when you help them play to their strengths.<\/p>\n \u2714 Be authentic<\/strong> \u2013 The best leaders lead as themselves, not as a version of what they think they \u2018should\u2019 be.<\/p>\n \u2714 Listen deeply<\/strong> \u2013 Effective communication isn\u2019t just about what you say\u2014it\u2019s about understanding others.<\/p>\n \u2714 You don\u2019t need all the answers<\/strong> \u2013 The best leaders ask great questions, not just give great answers.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”4px|auto||auto||” border_color_bottom=”#097BD8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brain-Storming.jpg” title_text=”Brain Storming” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”What Advice Would You Give?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”||22px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Between us, we\u2019ve spent 30 years leading, coaching, and shaping leadership development across businesses of all sizes.” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”24px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Between us, we\u2019ve spent 30 years leading, coaching, and shaping leadership development across businesses of all sizes. And if there\u2019s one truth we\u2019ve learned, it\u2019s this: leadership is a journey of constant learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n Now, over to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self as a first-time leader?<\/p>\n Please share your comments below or get in touch\u2014we\u2019d love to hear your insights.<\/p>\n Need support developing emerging leaders in your organisation? Let\u2019s talk. Email: info@Co-Creation.Group<\/a> or call: 0161 969 2512<\/a> for an informal chat.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Leadership Lessons We Wish We\u2019d Known: Advice to Our Younger Selves Stepping into a leadership role for the first time is both exhilarating and overwhelming. It comes with the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":5519,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14,68],"tags":[72,74,19,73],"class_list":["post-5517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-insights","tag-advice","tag-first-leadership-role","tag-leadership","tag-younger-self"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5517"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5535,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5517\/revisions\/5535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/co-creation.group\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
My second piece of advice? Regularly step back and take in the bigger picture.<\/p>\n
There were times, particularly during restructures and mergers, when I focused too much on what was missing\u2014what gaps needed filling, where people were falling short. I now see how powerful it is to start with strengths<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Kath\u2019s Leadership Lessons<\/h3>\n
For a long time in my early career, I felt like I needed to fit in. I worked in a male-dominated environment, and that shaped how I showed up\u2014how I spoke, how I led, how I presented myself. I didn\u2019t fully realise it at the time, but I was adapting to what I thought leadership should look like rather than embracing who I truly was.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to assume that if someone isn\u2019t responding well to your message, the problem is either with them\u2014or with you. But often, it\u2019s neither.<\/p>\n
When I first became a manager, I felt a huge pressure to know everything<\/em>. I thought being a good leader meant always having the right answer, being able to fix problems instantly, and having flawless conversations. If I didn\u2019t, I assumed I was failing.<\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/h3>\n
What Advice Would You Give?<\/h3>\n