Tips for Emerging Leaders to Excel

When you’re just starting your career, the biggest trap isn’t lack of skills, it’s letting your early career show up as underconfidence. My top tip: don’t just show up, lead with curiosity. This is something I’ve been following since 2019, right when I started my career. Within my first year at IBM, I was able to set up a meeting with Rob Thomas (SVP at the time) to discuss product vision and how data science and AI tools could be incorporated into IBM’s product lines. That didn’t happen because I had years of experience, I had none. It happened because I emailed him with specific details: I showed my work from internships, sent clear questions, and laid out an agenda of what I wanted to discuss. That clarity and preparation made it worth his time. And that principle has stayed with me ever since. Even today, when I meet VPs, CTOs, or startup founders, I make sure I’m not just there to listen, I come in with intention. Here’s how you can apply this: → Share something you’ve read (a new framework, case study, or article). Lead with, “I came across this, what’s your perspective?” → Ask open-ended questions that spark discussion, not just answers. → Reframe introductions. Instead of “I’m new,” try “I’ve been exploring X, curious how your team approaches it.” → Capture your learnings. After a talk, paper, or shadowing session, write 2–3 takeaways and share them, it signals thought leadership. → Remember: humility doesn’t mean invisibility. What’s funny is that sometimes when I’m speaking with top leadership, they’ll say, “Oh, I didn’t know about that.” That’s validation: years of experience aren’t the only currency. Your curiosity, preparation, and ability to share knowledge are equally powerful. Early in your career, people don’t expect you to have all the answers. But they do notice if you bring ideas, energy, and intent into the room. Confidence isn’t about pretending you know everything, it’s about showing you’re hungry to learn, and making others want to learn with you.

When I stepped into my first leadership role, I thought someone had made a mistake. I was excited, yes, but also terrified. I constantly replayed conversations in my head. I avoided giving strong direction because I didn’t want to be “wrong.” And I quietly hoped no one would notice how unsure I felt. But here’s what I’ve learned (and what most emerging leaders eventually realize): You don’t have to feel ready to lead well. You grow into leadership by doing it even when you feel underqualified. Here are 5 shifts that helped me (and can help you too) lead through self-doubt: 1. Lead with clarity, not perfection - Your team doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out; they just need to know where things are going. - Clear direction creates trust. Perfection creates pressure. - Confidence starts with communicating clearly, even if you're still figuring it out. 2. Ask questions; don’t fake answers - You’re not helping anyone by pretending. - The strongest leaders I’ve met are the ones who ask, explore, and admit when they don’t know. - Curiosity earns more respect than ego. 3. Speak last, listen first - You don’t have to have the first word. Great leadership often means giving space before stepping in. - When people feel heard, they’re more likely to follow. 4. Own your learning curve - The moment you accept that growth is part of your leadership, not a sign of weakness, everything shifts. - Leading with humility makes you more relatable and respected. 5. Let your actions build confidence - Confidence doesn’t come before the action. It comes from action. - Every time you speak up, make a decision, or lead a conversation, you’re building the muscle. - Keep showing up. That’s the work. 📌If you’re an emerging leader still finding your voice, this is your reminder: You don’t need to be the loudest. You just need to be consistent, curious, and honest. That’s leadership. #EmergingLeaders #LeadershipJourney #ImposterSyndrome #NewLeaderTips #HRLeadership #PeopleCenteredLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #LeadWithClarity #NextGenLeadership #Leadership #LinkedIn

Leading a startup team has taught me about effective leadership over time. Looking back since Co-Founding Agentech, I've found myself reinforcing these principles—not as concepts, but as practical practices at @Agentech. Here are some takeaways, in my own words, that might land with fellow and aspiring leaders: 1. Recognize and Celebrate Team Success "I want to give props to our team for the excellent work they've done. Whether it's serving existing clients or new clients, your commitment to them is evident and obvious." Celebrating your team's contributions publicly doesn't just acknowledge their effort—it empowers and motivates them to maintain high performance. From my experience, recognition builds trust, strengthens morale, and fosters a culture of shared success. 2. Inspire Momentum with Vision and Confidence "You can feel the momentum build—deals are coming in the door, the pipeline is maturing, and our product is reaching our customers. Imagine the lift when we consistently see multiple deals closing every week?" Articulating a clear vision with genuine enthusiasm helps our team visualize success and motivates them to achieve it. Expressing confidence and providing support encourages sustained momentum. 3. Mistakes are Lessons—Iterate and Limit the Downsides "We wouldn't have known unless we'd tried—there were inevitably going to be a few misses. The key is to approach each misstep as an opportunity to learn quickly, adjust, and move forward." Embracing a culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities promotes a healthy environment and provides a safe place where teams take calculated risks to move the business forward. 4. Maintain Clarity of Vision and Keep it Simple "Our greatest leaps forward happen when we align behind a clear, simplified vision. Complexity clouds action, but simplicity drives clarity, commitment, and execution." Clearly articulating goals and simplifying processes helps teams stay focused, decisive, and effective, accelerating progress and boosting confidence across the organization. 5. Time Your Momentum—Slow Down or Speed Up as Needed "I think slowing things down was the right move. But now it’s time to accelerate again and get this flywheel going. Recognizing the rhythm of the business and knowing precisely when to pause or accelerate is key to sustained success." Effective leaders understand timing, and our leaders see this so clearly. Strategic pauses allow teams to regroup and reinforce foundations, while timely acceleration maximizes growth and captures opportunities. None of these principles are theory—they’re lived experiences. As a leader, your mindset sets the tone for your entire team. Which of these leadership lessons resonates most with you, and why? #AI #startup #techstartup #entrepreneur #cofounder #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupLeadership #TeamCulture #LeadershipTips #GrowthMindset

A former colleague recently asked me what books or articles I recommend for onboarding as a new leader. Honestly? There isn’t much out there that’s recent and practical, focused on what you do as the leader, not what the company does to onboard you. What I did share were the tools I’ve created for myself and reuse every time I step into a new role. And since I’ve just onboarded as a new leader at F5, it felt like the right moment to share these more broadly. So here are my go-to tips for onboarding as a new leader 👇 (And if you want the PDFs I use, I'm happy to share. Comment “onboard” and I’ll send them your way.) Becky’s Tips for Onboarding as a New Leader 1. Spend time—real time—getting to know people This sounds obvious and is surprisingly hard to do well. It’s easy to feel like you “know” someone and then realize you don’t know why they’re here, what motivates them, or what matters most to them. The most important work of your first few months is understanding people and what makes them tick. For your team, use a structured “get to know you” format you both complete and discuss in 1:1s and a values exercise you can do as a larger group. For peers and senior leaders, prioritize curiosity over jumping straight into the work. Remembering something personal later builds trust—and in today’s workplace, trust is how work gets done. 2. Set expectations up front Leading with integrity means doing what you say you’ll do. I like to make this explicit by “contracting” with my team. I share a short leadership philosophy that outlines what they can expect from me and what I expect from them. This clarity removes ambiguity, builds trust, and creates a shared reference point for feedback—both giving it and receiving it. 3. Listen. Listen. Listen. (Then listen some more.) Many leaders come in looking for the quick win. That can work—but it can also backfire if you don’t have full context. Schedule lots of 1:1s across the business. Ask about history, decision-making patterns, and who else you should meet. This is how you build your internal network and avoid costly missteps. 4. Find your people Every role needs a few trusted “buddies”—often peers—who you can go to for gut checks, context, venting, and sense-making. Having people you trust at work isn’t just good for retention; it makes you a better leader. Spend time getting to know people. Set expectations. Listen deeply. Find your people. Do that well, and you’ve built a strong foundation of trust, which you can build upon. So…when do you move into execution mode? Happy to share more in another post if this is helpful—this one’s already a bit long 🙂 👇 If you’d like any of these, comment “onboard”: Get-to-Know-You Doc Values Exercise Peer & Leadership 1:1 Questions Leadership Philosophy Framework Photo: My first day at Uber in March 2016, which was the last job that I onboarded in person 😳

An open letter to all fellow MTs! Having been there once upon a long long time ago, here a few tips that I have learnt along the way. 1. You’re Not Expected to Know Everything. But You Are Expected to Learn Fast. This is not college. There is no marking system, unlearn the need for validation. Observe keenly, listen deeply, and ask smart questions. Your learning curve won’t be a curve—it’ll be a rollercoaster. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. 2. You’re Not Just Here to Do a Job. You’re Here to Understand the Business. Yes, excel sheets, trackers, data, ppts, meetings, reviews and endless follow-ups might occupy your time. Don't get lost in the humdrum, try and see or proactively ask the WHY. Building context and connecting the dots —why something is being done, not just how it's being done. That’s what will eventually set you apart. 3. Be Curious, Not Noisy, Neither Non-Chalant - Be Present Your peer group will be your strength and your bane, its easy to get way led by coffee point rants. Of course crib about your boss, its a fantastic way to build bonds, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Credibility is your corporate muscle, show up - be consistent. 4. Excel Will Be Your Frenemy. PowerPoint, Your Spouse - Prep till you Get it RIght! Unlearn the need to keep everything until the last minute; its preparation that sets you apart. Embrace it. Show up for meetings prepared with your slides formatted. 5. Seek Mentors, Not Just Managers. Some of your greatest lessons will come from people not officially assigned to you. Make new connections, Observe them. Speak to them. Learn from them. Don’t wait for HR to arrange it. 6. Attitude Will Take You Further Than Aptitude Alone. You’re smart—we get it. But the real magic lies in how you handle pressure, feedback, ambiguity and yes, even that colleague who replies-all to every mail. Be someone people enjoy working with. That reputation travels faster than you think. 7. Don’t Confuse Busyness with Impact. Just because your calendar looks like a game of Tetris doesn’t mean you’re moving the needle. Learn to differentiate noise from signal. Focus on outcomes. Take complete ownership, its a standout feature and a "Boss" favourite. 8. Your Growth is Your Responsibility. Don’t wait to be “put on” exciting projects. Show up, speak up, and be seen. Volunteer for that messy pilot, offer to take notes in a cross-functional meeting. That’s where you’ll learn what no deck can teach. The first few months will be intense, confusing, exciting and maybe even borderline frustrating. It is a period of change - kind of like Adulting :) You’ll make mistakes (good!), you’ll feel unsure (normal!), and you’ll have moments where you think, “What am I even doing here?” That’s all part of the journey. Show up with an open mind, humble heart, hungry soul and a willingness to build—your skills, your network, your confidence. Welcome to the team. Now, let’s get to work 😀 #Leadershipmusings #dailywriting

This week Jane Pettit and I wrapped up our latest Centred Excellence Academy cohort. We always finish with a session on mindset, and how to be successful at anything, we have to be the change. It's a common human tendency to look around and blame others when things aren't going as we'd like. Whether in business, personal life, or our careers, it's easy to point fingers at colleagues, bosses, family members, or circumstances beyond our control. This mindset, however, keeps us stuck and prevents growth. I've been reflecting on some of the outcomes of not only this session, but also my conversations this week in both my 1:1 coaching, consulting and networking. Shifting our perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have. Instead of waiting for others to change or for situations to improve on their own, we can choose to be the catalyst for the change we want to see. Here's my thoughts on how: 1. Take ownership: Recognise that you have control over your actions and reactions. While you can't always change external circumstances, you can change how you respond to them. 2. Identify what you can influence: Focus on areas where you can make a difference, no matter how small. This could be improving your skills, adjusting your attitude, or finding new ways to approach problems. 3. Ask for what you need: Many of us hesitate to ask for help or resources, fearing rejection or appearing incompetent. However, clear communication about your needs can lead to better support and outcomes. 4. Seek information proactively: Don't wait for others to provide answers. Take initiative to research, learn, and find solutions independently. This not only solves immediate problems but also develops your skills and knowledge. 5. Set an example: Be the change you want to see in your environment. If you want more positivity, be more positive. If you want better communication, communicate more effectively yourself. 6. Embrace continuous learning: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Cultivate a growth mindset that sees setbacks as chances to learn and improve. 7. Take action: Don't wait for the perfect moment or for someone else to take the lead. Start with small steps and build momentum. 8. Reflect and adjust: Regularly assess your progress and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. Being adaptable is key to sustained change. By shifting our mindset from blame to ownership, from passivity to action, we empower ourselves to create positive change. This approach not only improves our own circumstances but can inspire others around us, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation in our workplaces, relationships, and communities. Remember, change starts with you. Be the change you wish to see, and watch how it transforms not just your own life, but the world around you. Have a great weekend everyone 🙂

Experience matters in leadership, here's what new leaders can do. Feeling like an imposter in your leadership role? That nagging doubt that whispers, "You don't have enough experience for this," can be paralyzing. Many emerging leaders struggle with this: 😟 Doubting their decisions 😰 Hesitating to take actions 😔 Feeling inadequate compared to seasoned peers You've probably tried to compensate by avoiding risks, working longer hours, or pretending to know everything. But these strategies often fall short. While experience matters, it's not the only path to effective leadership. ------Thrive with these powerful practices----- 🔶 Be a Learning Sponge: Treat interactions as a learning opportunities. 🔶 Embrace Experimentation: Test approaches and learn from both successes and failures. 🔶 Practice Honesty: Admit when you're wrong or don't know something. 🔶 Leverage Collective Wisdom: Build a network of mentors and diverse perspectives. 🔶 Reflect and Adapt: Regularly assess your style and celebrate growth. -----A counterintuitive insight----- 🔷 Embrace your mistakes publicly. Openly acknowledging errors can strengthen leadership through transparency and growth. I've seen new leaders gain immense respect by: 🔹Admitting errors in team meetings 🔹Sharing lessons learned from missteps 🔹Encouraging team members to point out leadership blunders One CAUTION: Balance is key. ⚖ While embracing mistakes is powerful, the goal is to show growth, not incompetence. Aim for quality decision-making and thoughtful risk-taking. Your team doesn't expect perfection. They want a leader who's real, relatable, and committed to growth – but they also need to trust your capability to lead effectively. Leadership isn't about knowing everything; it's about leveraging what you know and being open to what you don't. Experienced leaders - which of these practices worked best for you?

I recently had the privilege of speaking to this year’s AT&T finance intern class; a group of sharp-minded students ranging from undergrads, to MBA and Master’s candidates. It’s always energizing to meet with people at the early innings of their careers – hungry to learn and eager to achieve. I shared a few best practices from my own career that I hope will also serve you well. ✅Get comfortable with ambiguity. You will rarely have all the information needed to make a decision. ✅Challenge the status quo. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions or bring forward ideas that can improve productivity and efficiency. We should all be listening and learning from each other. ✅Build strong relationships. The people in your network will become your mentors, your advocates, and your cheerleaders. They are key to your continued development and success. ✅Commit to lifelong learning. My passion for education and natural curiosity has made me a more well-rounded leader. ✅Lead with integrity. Mutual respect and trust are the foundation of strong teams. Developing the next generation of talent is incredibly important and something I encourage all leaders to prioritize. What tips do you have for these future leaders?