Why Most New Leaders Struggle (It's Deeper)

May 4 / Dr. Dedra Phillips
Most new leaders don’t struggle because they lack intelligence, work ethic, or technical ability. They struggle because they were never taught how to lead people. And that’s a very different skillset.

The Assumption 

In most organizations, leadership isn’t taught—it’s assumed.

You perform well. You get promoted. Now you’re expected to lead.

But no one sits down and teaches you how to:
  • Give feedback that actually improves performance
  • Navigate conflict without avoiding it
  • Build trust with people who now report to you
  • Communicate clearly when expectations aren’t being met


So when things feel harder than expected, the assumption is: “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”  But that’s not the issue.

How the Gap Shows Up in Real Life

When these skills are missing, it doesn’t always look obvious at first. It shows up in subtle, everyday ways:
  • Conversations feel harder than they should.
  • Feedback is avoided or doesn’t land well
  • Team members seem disengaged or unclear
  • Small issues turn into bigger problems over time


And slowly, performance starts to slip. Not because people don’t care. But because leadership isn’t creating clarity, trust, or alignment.

Why This Isn’t Talked About More

Most professionals assume they’re the only ones feeling this. So they try to figure it out on their own.
They:
  • Google answers
  • Watch videos
  • Learn through trial and error


Some eventually improve. But many stay stuck longer than they need to because no one ever clearly names the problem.

You Weren’t Trained — And You’re Not Alone

If stepping into leadership feels harder than expected, it’s not a personal failure.

It’s a training gap.

Most leaders are expected to perform with skills they were never taught. And the difference between struggling and succeeding often comes down to one thing:

Whether those skills are developed intentionally.

What Changes Everything 

When you start building these human-centered leadership skills:
  • Conversations become clearer and more productive
  • Feedback actually improves performance
  • Trust builds within your team


You feel more confident in how you lead. And instead of reacting to situations, you start leading them.

Start With Awareness

The first step isn’t trying to fix everything at once. It’s understanding where you currently stand.

👉 Take the Free HumanEdge Leadership Assessment 
Identify your strengths, uncover skill gaps, and get clear next steps to grow as a leader.


Final Thought

Most leaders don’t struggle because they aren’t capable.
They struggle because they were never equipped.
Once you build the skills that are missing, everything starts to shift.
Sources
Wharton Executive Education. Managing to Fail? Why New Leaders Need Training (2024)
Knowledge at Wharton. Three Things All New Managers Should Be Doing (2024)
Gallup / HR Dive. Front-line supervisors are often promoted without leadership skills (2026)
Chartered Management Institute. Accidental Managers Research (2024)