Taking on a leadership role for the first time can be intimidating, regardless of whether you’re managing a team or an entire organization. Though previous experience can help soften the pressure that comes with stepping up to the leadership plate, building the confidence and authority required to lead effectively takes time and persistent effort.
To help nascent leaders get started on the right foot, 20 Forbes Business Council members provide tips for building confidence and authority as a first-time team or company leader.
1. Own Your Role
Own your leadership role—no one is doing you a favor by letting you lead. You’ve earned your place, and recognizing that boosts confidence and authority. When you lead with assurance, decisiveness and a strong sense of belonging, your team will respect and trust your direction. – Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, RIFE International
2. Set The Right Culture And Expectations
A first-time leader must cultivate a culture that drives the successful execution of strategy. But, culture isn’t defined by words; it’s shaped by what you allow. If you tolerate mediocrity, it becomes the standard. If you tolerate toxicity, it takes root and spreads. If you tolerate a lack of accountability, trust erodes. Leadership is about enforcing expectations, not just setting them. – Lawrence Bomback, Strategic Nonprofit Finance
3. Communicate Directly And Honestly
Embrace direct, honest communication. Confident leaders avoid empty jargon, share clear objectives and remain open to feedback. Authenticity cements trust, fuels collaboration and nurtures growth. By leading with empathy, clarity and a commitment to excellence, you can inspire your team to adopt these values. This results in improved performance, increased collaboration and a boost in overall job satisfaction. – Angela Palo, Pinnacle Financial Services (PFS)
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4. Get To Know Your Team
Being a woman general manager at a young age was very challenging. I was ensuring my own performance was exemplary, clearly articulating my vision and providing precise instructions to my team. I prioritized getting to know my team better by adhering to the strategy of the historic Adriatik Hotel. I started by identifying potential managers who were eager to grow and strive for excellence in service, driving higher KPIs. – Nevila Dudaj, Adriatik Tours LLC
5. Master Every Aspect Of The Business
Confidence as a leader comes from deep knowledge and decisive action. Master every aspect of your business so you can lead with clarity and authority. Communicate expectations clearly, make informed decisions and follow through. When your team sees competence and consistency, they trust your leadership, which will turn your authority into influence. – Nathan Levinson, Royal York Property Management
6. Adopt Socratic Leadership Tactics
Socratic leadership tactics empower new leaders to foster critical thinking, self-awareness and collaboration. By asking thoughtful, open-ended questions, new leaders can encourage dialogue to understand the organizational culture, context and people, as well as their perspectives. It empowers emerging leaders to build trust, find allies, build relationships and cultivate a team-driven mindset. – Murali Kashaboina, Entrigna Inc.
7. Actively Listen To Peers
Listen deeply to those who have been in the team or company long term, then ask thoughtful questions. This builds trust, shows respect for existing knowledge and helps you make informed decisions. Openness and active listening are key to establishing authority and strong relationships in a new leadership role. – Maile Keone, Listen Technologies Corporation
8. Build Trust
For first-time leaders, building trust is key to success. Show your team that you genuinely listen and prioritize their best interests, as this will instill confidence in your leadership. When they trust your ability, they’ll feel supported, fostering a strong, united team. – Tahmina Watson, Watson Immigration Law
9. Show Authenticity And Genuine Care For The Team
Strong, effective leadership starts with authenticity and genuine care for your team. Make it a priority to spend time with your employees and colleagues at the office and get to know them as individuals. Leadership isn’t about position, it’s about presence. Roll up your sleeves and help make the sausage. Your team will appreciate your willingness to be in the trenches and truly part of the team. – M. Todd Abner, OMNIA Partners
10. Focus On Learning And Growth
To build confidence and authority, focus on learning and growth. Confidence comes from competence, so ask questions and seek feedback. Consistently make informed decisions and take responsibility for outcomes. This shows your team that you’re capable of steering the ship, even in challenging times. – Mark Berookim, High Rise Financial LLC
11. Read Leadership Books
President Harry S. Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Buy a leadership book, consume it and live it. Then buy another and repeat the process for the rest of your life. Always be learning; never assume you have arrived. If you need some recommendations on what to read, hit up other leaders. – Chris Adams, Ellis Adams Group
12. Do The Inner Work
Own your energy before you enter the room. True leadership starts with healing the wounds that make you question your worth. If you don’t believe you’re enough, you’ll lead from fear or from people-pleasing tendencies. When you do the inner work, you lead from power, not performance—and your presence speaks before you do. – Shay Levister, Shay Better Coaching LLC
13. Back Decisions With Data, Insights And Clear Communication
As a new entrepreneur, I strongly believe in making informed, decisive decisions backed by data and insights and communicating with a clear vision so the team feels assured in your leadership. Being decisive doesn’t mean leading alone. Involving the team’s expertise, empowering them to contribute and leading with authenticity goes a long way. – Aditi Jaiswal, Techtrust Inc.
14. Follow Initiative Outcomes
Know the outcomes of the initiatives you create in detail. Too many C-Level leaders have no idea what the company will look like when the initiatives are complete. Simply wanting AI to make people more efficient is not enough; you need to understand what that really means to your organization. Get clear on what you are really asking for, and then frequently check that things are on track. – Laureen Knudsen, Empower Consultant Group
15. Understand The Potential For Undesirable Outcomes
Confidence isn’t about knowing you are right or that your decisions will produce the desired outcome. Confidence is being incredibly comfortable with the fact that good decisions sometimes lead to undesirable outcomes. It will be okay. Make the best possible decision with the facts you have, and for the few that don’t work out, accept it, learn from it and move on. Your team will greatly respect this. – Justin Barnhill, Amentum
16. Learn How To Navigate Team Conflict
It’s not about who is right; it’s about what is right. When you enter a leadership role, it’s not about how smart or powerful you are. It’s about your ability to gather information and guide the team through a discussion that will help everyone discover what is right, regardless of who said it or where it came from. Too often, we avoid conflict but healthy conflict is the foundation of productive teams. – Michael Decker, Kedrec Wealth / Cash Flow & Capital
17. Embrace Adaptability
Embrace adaptability while staying true to your vision. Leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about continuously evolving, trusting your team and learning from every growth phase. Authority is built when your team sees that you can navigate challenges with resilience and clarity. You establish trust, credibility and confidence by staying committed to your mission while staying flexible. – Talbott Roche, Blackhawk Network
18. Be Open To Tackling What Feels Unnatural
Confidence doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means tackling what feels unnatural. When I founded WithMe, Inc., I had two choices: avoid challenges or figure them out. I chose the latter. The same applies to leadership. Confidence comes from action. Step up, own your decisions and keep moving forward. Your team needs clarity and consistency, not perfection. – Jonathan Treble, WithMe, Inc.
19. Be Actively Involved
Lead by example. Embrace hands-on involvement, actively engaging with teams to show your commitment to solving problems. This approach inspires trust and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. Being present, approachable and willing to roll up your sleeves establishes credibility and motivates your team to strive for excellence. – Daniel Farrar, Assembly Software
20. Own Your Decisions
Owning your decisions is one of the best ways to build confidence and earn trust as a leader. It shows you’re thoughtful, accountable and willing to stand by your choices, whether they work out or not. People respect leaders who take responsibility, learn as they go and keep things moving forward. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being decisive and standing behind it. – Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
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