Transitioning into leadership is tough. How do I know? Because I was once that new leader—eager to feel competent but instead feeling in over my head. Despite more than a decade of training, classes, and preparation, nothing could fully prepare me for the reality of that first year as a manager. It was both exciting and overwhelming, and self-doubt seemed to creep in at every turn.
If I’m being honest, there were moments when I questioned if I had made a mistake. The weight of responsibility was heavier than I expected, and despite all my training, I sometimes felt unqualified to lead. I remember thinking, “Shouldn’t I have this figured out by now?” But looking back, I see how pivotal those moments of doubt were in shaping my leadership style.
How Self-Belief Shapes Your Leadership Style
Your belief in yourself significantly impacts how you lead others. As a leader, people look to you for guidance. If you don’t trust yourself, it becomes challenging to earn the trust of those you lead. Over time, I realized that my own self-doubt was affecting my ability to lead confidently. The more I hesitated, the more uncertainty I projected to my team.
Leaders with strong self-belief inspire confidence in their teams. They don’t need to have all the answers, but they face challenges with a sense of assurance. This doesn’t mean they avoid vulnerability or pretend to be perfect. In fact, acknowledging what you don’t know can be one of the strongest acts of leadership because it shows your team that you trust yourself enough to admit it.
Why It’s Important to Build Your Self-Belief Now
New leaders often find themselves in unexpected situations, managing responsibilities they didn’t anticipate. I know that feeling well from my journey, which spans over 25 years across both the military and federal government agencies. I’ve seen firsthand how self-belief can either empower or hinder leaders.
For anyone stepping into leadership, my advice is this: trust that you are capable. Self-belief doesn’t mean you’ll never face doubt—those feelings are normal. But believing in yourself gives you the resilience to push through and come out stronger.
Looking back, I wish I’d had someone early on to tell me, “You’ve got this.” It would have saved me a lot of inner turmoil. That’s why I’m passionate about helping new leaders today. Because I’ve been there, and I know what it’s like to feel out of place. But I also know that with a little self-belief, you can transform how you lead—and ultimately, how you impact others.
