4 Naïve Assumptions of New Leaders

I couldn’t wait to be promoted. I knew all the things I wanted to accomplish. I was also looking forward to the perks of leadership. In the Army we used to say, “Rank Has It’s Privileges (RHIP).”

But, years later, I realized that these sentiments were naive. They seem real to someone who has not held a position of leadership. But, once I earned that promotion, I learned that my assumptions were far from reality.

I Was Naive

Assumption #1: When I am in charge, I will have more autonomy. My boss won’t be telling me how or when to do things.

Reality: Maintaining control of your time as a leader is difficult. You now have three groups of people who influence your time.

· You do not control the timing of the phone calls from those you lead.

· You do not control the timing of meetings or calls of leadership peers.

· You do not control the timing of meetings or calls of your superiors.

Assumption #2: It is going to be great when upper management sees the things I do well and all that I can accomplish.