Top 4 Mistakes New Leaders Make and How to Avoid Them
When Gordon was promoted to a leadership role at his tech company, he felt a rush of excitement—and a wave of panic. After years of recognition for his technical expertise and work ethic, he was finally in charge of a team. But three months in, he was exhausted, frustrated, and questioning whether he was cut out for leadership.
What went wrong?
The truth is, Gordon isn’t alone. Many new leaders step into their roles with great intentions but stumble into a handful of avoidable traps. At Inspired Training, we’ve coached hundreds of rising leaders like Gordon and seen the same patterns emerge repeatedly. Let’s walk through the top four leadership mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1 – Trying to Do Everything Alone
Gordon thought being a “good leader” meant having all the answers and taking on the heaviest workload. But this only led to burnout and a disengaged team.
The Fix: Great leaders delegate, empower, and trust. Instead of being the hero, become the guide. Let your team shine and focus your energy on strategy and support.
Mistake #2 – Avoiding Difficult Conversations
When Gordon noticed the tension between two team members, he hoped it would resolve. It didn’t—and the situation escalated.
The Fix: Avoidance erodes trust. Learning to have clear, compassionate, and timely conversations is one of the most powerful leadership tools you can develop. Your team is watching how you handle the challenging moments.
Mistake #3 – Lacking a Clear Vision
Gordon was caught in the weeds—answering emails, attending meetings, fixing mistakes—but his team didn’t know where they were headed.
The Fix: Leadership is about direction, not just execution. Clarify the “why,” align the “how,” and repeat it often. A clear vision energizes your team and builds momentum.
Mistake #4 – Failing to Build Relationships
Gordon focused so much on performance metrics that he missed the human side of leadership. His team felt managed, not mentored.
The Fix: People don’t follow titles—they follow trust. Schedule one-on-ones, ask meaningful questions, and invest in your team’s growth. Connection drives commitment.
How Leadership Coaching Can Help Your Leaders Avoid These Pitfalls
At the recommendation of his leader, Gordon reached out to Inspired Training Institute, and everything changed. Through leadership coaching, he learned to lead with clarity, confidence, and intention through tailored sessions. Coaching provided him with the tools to reset his approach and connect meaningfully with his team.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Whether your leaders are stepping into leadership roles for the first time or trying to level up their impact, coaching offers the clarity and accountability every leader needs.
“Inspired Training helped me shift from overwhelmed and reactive to grounded and intentional. Coaching gave me the confidence to lead with clarity – and my team has noticed the difference.”
– Jenny Vander Zanden, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Sector
Ready to ensure your leaders lead with confidence? Inspired Training helps new and emerging leaders avoid common pitfalls and step into their roles with authenticity and strength. Explore our Leadership Coaching Services and let’s build the kind of leaders your organization will thank you for.
