The Unexpected Leader

By Todd Dewett, Andersen Alumnus, author and speaker

Not all leaders wanted to be leaders. An increasing number of them are unexpected leaders. They were not seeking a promotion. They did not expect it. They often don’t even want it. However, they are being asked to step up.

This happens for many reasons. Sometimes it’s due to structural change in the organization, such as a shift to a matrix organization with many new supervisors. Or it could happen due to resource problems (e.g., a key person leaves, retires, or needs extended time). Sometimes, a supervisor is assigned a new temporary project role and needs someone to watch over the team. Finally, maybe a new opportunity exists, and they think you’re the best person for the job!

Welcome to leadership. Now you’re at the front end of a new learning curve because many of the skills that got you here are not the skills that will make you a good leader. Here are a few quick ideas that will help you survive and thrive in your first few months as an unexpected leader.

First, admit mistakes and don’t act like you know everything. Whether you experience ambiguity about tasks or people, don’t hesitate to admit that you don’t know something. People don’t like know-it-alls and can sense bull easily. When you admit what you don’t know, you build bonds by showing your humanity and validating humanity in others. And when you make a mistake – own that too, immediately if possible. Explain yourself, seek assistance, and thank them for their understanding.

Next, listen more than you talk. You learn faster the more you listen. The team knows things you don’t. Let them help you – don’t talk more than necessary to inquire, validate, and praise. Listen intently so you can start to understand both their knowledge and their motivation. Now you’re learning. Plus, when they see listening as one of your top skills, they will feel more like your peer and are more likely to respect your decisions.

Third, it’s time to draw a few soft lines. They need to know you’re a good listener, yes, but they also need to know you’re in charge. Be kind and positive but be sure to set a few new boundaries. Think about things you will not talk about given your new role. Think about interactions you must reduce, change, or avoid (e.g., certain types of social outings). It’s okay to be a warm people person while also knowing when to clarify your expectations and provide needed feedback.

Finally, don’t reinvent the wheel! You’re going to scratch your head a few times. That’s normal. Others have likely seen these issues too, so it’s time to leverage them. Go find people who know more than you do. That might include the person who had the role before you, your new supervisor, or a coach or mentor. There is no need to waste time resolving old problems.

As markets experience turmoil, technologies continue to advance rapidly, and the generational shift at work accelerates – the number of unexpected leaders will be on the rise for years to come. Yes, it could even happen to you. Don’t be alarmed, success in this situation is simply about building new skills. You’ve got this. Start by using the ideas we just covered and you’re very likely to become comfortable and productive quickly.

Dr. Todd Dewett is one of

the world’s most watched leadership personalities: a thought leader, an

authenticity expert, best-selling author, top global instructor at LinkedIn

Learning, a TEDx speaker, and an Inc. Magazine Top 100 leadership speaker. He

has been quoted in the New York Times, TIME, Businessweek, Forbes, and many

other outlets. After beginning his career with Andersen Consulting and Ernst

& Young he completed his PhD in Organizational Behavior at Texas A&M

University and enjoyed a career as an award-winning professor. Todd has

delivered over 1,000 speeches to audiences at Microsoft, ExxonMobil, Pepsi,

Boeing, General Electric, IBM, Kraft Heinz, Caterpillar, and hundreds more. His

educational library at LinkedIn Learning has been enjoyed by over 30,000,000

professionals in more than one hundred countries in eight languages. Visit his

home online at www.drdewett.com or connect with Todd on LinkedIn. He can be reached at todd@drdewett.com