The Secret Struggle Every New Leader Faces (And How to Fix It)
Most leaders don’t fail because they can’t do the work.They fail because they don’t know what to say in the critical moments.
When you step into leadership for the first time, no one hands you a playbook for the conversations that matter most. You’re expected to motivate your team, give feedback, and set clear expectations — but no one shows you how to actually say it.
That’s the secret struggle every new leader faces.
The 3 Struggles That Make or Break New Leaders
1. Setting Clear Expectations
Many new leaders assume their team “just knows” what’s expected. The result? Confusion, missed goals, and frustration on both sides. The truth is, clarity is the foundation of leadership. Without it, your team is guessing at what matters.
2. Giving Feedback Without Causing Conflict
Feedback is one of the hardest conversations for any new leader. You want to be kind, but not vague. You want to be direct, but not harsh. Most leaders swing too far in one direction — either sugarcoating the issue or being so blunt it damages trust.
3. Motivating People Consistently
Motivation isn’t about hype. It’s about connecting daily actions to a bigger mission and making people feel seen. Too many leaders forget this — and end up with disengaged teams who show up but don’t give their best.
A Practical Fix: The 60-Second Expectation Script
You don’t need a leadership degree to solve these challenges. You need a few simple scripts to guide the moments that matter.
Here’s one I use all the time:
How to set expectations in 60 seconds (without overexplaining):
1️⃣ State the Goal — 1–3 things we need to accomplish today.
Example: “Our targets today are to hit 20k packages, complete 3 safety audits, and have each manager deliver 2 coaching conversations.”
2️⃣ Keys to Success — 2–3 levers that will drive the outcome.
Example: “To get there, we need a fast start, keep the flow tight, and move work quickly to scanners.”
3️⃣ Assign Responsibility — who owns what and the results needed.
Example: “Ops owns headcount flow, PA owns engagement & coaching, Safety lead owns audits.”
4️⃣ Ask for Alignment — make sure everyone’s clear.
Example: “Any questions before we move forward?”
In less than a minute, your team leaves with clarity, confidence, and ownership.
Why This Works
Most leaders think leadership is about inspiring speeches or clever strategies. It’s not. It’s about creating clarity in the moments that matter most.
When you use a simple framework like this:
Preparation > Perfection. Every time.
Your Next Step
This is just one script. But there are others that can save new leaders from struggling in silence.
That’s why I’m putting together a free guide: 📘 “3 Leadership Scripts Every New Leader Needs.”
Inside, I’ll share:
→ Drop a comment below or DM me if you’d like early access.
Because the faster you master these conversations, the faster you grow from “new manager” to confident leader.
Thank you for sharing! So many new leaders struggle with the balance that allows them to shift away from doing vs. leading. There’s a difference!
Very good insight. Thanks for sharing.