There’s a troubling pattern you might have noticed. A new leader is hired, filled with energy, ideas, and ambition. But instead of taking the time to understand what came before, they quickly start to dismantle existing structures. They criticize their predecessor, discard old systems without a second thought, and showcase themselves as the one who will finally set things right.
This approach feels more like politics than leadership. We’ve seen this behavior in election campaigns, where candidates tear down their opponents to stand out. But when it happens within an organization, it’s not just unproductive; it’s harmful.
The issue isn’t only the lack of respect. It’s the belief that anything that existed before must be flawed. That mindset often backfires. When new leaders use blame to build their credibility, they lose trust. And once that trust is gone, it’s difficult to regain. People start wondering who will be blamed next.
This kind of leadership isn’t just ineffective; it tends to be short-lived. Many of these leaders don’t last—not because they lack talent, but because they overlook a key part of the job: listening, learning, and building trust.
This pattern occurs across various settings, but there’s growing concern about how it particularly affects some women leaders. Not because women are uniquely flawed, but because the pressure to prove themselves quickly can be intense. And in that rush, it’s easy to fall into the trap of tearing down what came before to build something of their own. However, making your mark shouldn’t mean erasing someone else’s.
So what does good leadership look like, especially for someone new in the role? Here are a few clear and effective ways to lead with integrity and impact without stepping on the people who came before:
1. Take a breath and assess. Before making significant changes, take the time to understand what’s already working. Conduct a thoughtful review. Ask questions and get the full picture.
2. Talk to people. Connect with the team. If possible, have a conversation with your predecessor. Listen to the reasoning behind their decisions. Often, what seems inefficient at first glance has a purpose once you dig deeper.
3. Keep what works. Not everything needs to be tossed out. Identify strong initiatives and build on them. Improvement doesn’t always mean starting from scratch.
4. Be transparent. Share your vision but also acknowledge the work that came before you. Recognize the effort others put in and the progress they achieved. This shows maturity and earns respect.
5. Collaborate, don’t dictate. Involve your team in shaping the path forward. People are more likely to support changes when they feel heard and included.
6. Focus on the future, not the past. Instead of pointing out what went wrong before, concentrate on where you’re headed and how you’ll get there.
7. Add value, don’t subtract. Show how your leadership brings something new to the table. This doesn’t mean wiping the slate clean; it means contributing to a larger, evolving story.
8. Don’t believe the haters, especially in leadership or politics. It’s easy to be influenced by loud voices that criticize everything from the past. Strong leaders don’t base their vision on bitterness or blame. If you accept every complaint as truth, you may discard good work just to win favor. Filter out the noise. Trust your own judgment. Leadership isn’t about siding with the loudest critics; it’s about doing what’s right for the future.
Leadership isn’t about ego. It’s not about being the smartest or most radical voice in the room. It’s about building something stronger than what was there before while respecting those who tried to do the same.
If you’re stepping into a new role, resist the urge to tear down just to stand out. Leadership is a relay, not a solo sprint. The baton is in your hand now, but you didn’t build the track alone.
So do better, leaders. Be the kind of person others want to follow. The kind who honors the past while helping everyone move forward.
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