6 Challenges Leaders Always Face and How to Deal With Them

I remember my first leadership role. I was promoted within a team and was completely unprepared for what I was about to do.

Suddenly a whole bunch of people came to me for advice. Colleagues who were my colleagues - and friends - yesterday now see me as "the boss".

All my well-thought-out plans seemed unrealistic. I worried that I was asking for too much from some people and not enough from others. Any feedback from my manager came across as criticism, and I was feeling overwhelmed.

Instead of finding out why they had questions and asking if they could see a better way, I ended the call completely, sticking to my guns.

Fortunately, with experience and the help of a good mentor and coach, I began to feel more comfortable leading others and becoming a better leader.

Research suggests that my experience is not unique. Only 33% of executives feel confident in making business decisions, yet organizations need leadership at all levels more than ever.

1. Inspiration

As a leader, your team looks to you for inspiration and motivation to complete your work. This can seem difficult in a challenging work environment or when you don't feel motivated.

To inspire others, help your colleagues focus on the value created by their work. Share the vision for the team and make sure everyone can see how their work is making a difference.

Helping your team find meaning in their work is vital to employee engagement. In fact, 90% of employees said they would trade traditional reward mechanisms – such as extra pay – for more meaning in their jobs.

2. Develop others

Talent and employee development is an important part of your role as a manager. It is important to recognize the potential of your team members and encourage their development. You need to understand their hopes for the future and find ways to challenge and empower them.

Make sure you take the time to listen to your team. Create formal and informal opportunities to talk about how they want to move forward in their career and support them in taking those steps.

3. Drive change

Change can often feel intimidating or uncertain, and leading a team through it is a major challenge for today's leaders. The way we work is changing like never before, and employees will look to leadership for guidance and validation.

It's important to validate your team's feelings and help them feel that their fears are being heard. Helping them find the positive aspects of change can reduce resistance to it.

4. Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

It is common, especially with new leaders, to lack confidence or feel that they do not deserve to be in a leadership position. There are different types of imposter syndrome.

You may question your own ability or judgment, which can lead to indecision. Or you feel like you have to do everything yourself, which can keep you from seeking the help you need.

5. Lead a team

When you become a leader, you are either new to the team, or you are promoted within the team. Both can be difficult. You need to build trust with new allies or create a new dynamic with old allies.

As you collaborate at work and with your new team, take the time to set expectations. Agree on how you will work together and how you prefer to communicate. If you've been promoted above your peers, don't ignore it. Talk to them about how they feel and work through any disappointments.

6. Get Feedback

It may seem strange to ask for 360-degree feedback from the people you lead, but it is the key to your success. Feedback is an opportunity to learn where you can improve but also hear what your team appreciates about your leadership. Set up your feedback mechanism to allow this, and make sure you respond positively to any feedback you receive. Giving feedback like this to employees need a lot of trust.