Finding My Way: What Every New Leader Needs to Hear

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare—from the fast pace of emergency medical services to the layered complexities of ambulatory and inpatient care—I’ve seen leadership from every angle. I’ve built teams, made tough calls, and mentored future leaders. But no matter how much time passes, I never forget how overwhelming those first steps into leadership felt. If you’re stepping into that space now, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

The Reality of Becoming a Leader

When I took on my first leadership role, I believed my clinical experience and work ethic would carry me. I quickly discovered that leadership isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you’re becoming.

Leadership tests you. It stretches your confidence, your communication, and your ability to stay grounded when expectations rise. Every decision feels amplified. Mistakes feel personal. And the self-doubt? It can be loud.

Emerging as a leader, especially in healthcare, means navigating:

• Personalities

• Policies

• Patient outcomes

• Team dynamics

• Performance expectations

• Your own fear of getting it wrong

Mistakes don’t feel like simple missteps in the beginning—they feel like failures. I know the feeling. I’ve lived it.

But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me: Those early mistakes are not evidence that you’re unprepared. They are necessary milestones. You’re not failing—you’re learning how to lead.

The Challenge of Leading Former Peers

One of the hardest transitions I faced early on was supervising people who had once been my peers. Overnight, the dynamics changed. Conversations shifted. Expectations shifted. Comfort shifted.

Delegation felt impossible. I carried too much because I feared something would fall through if I let go. But over time, I learned something essential:

This discomfort isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong—it’s part of the growth curve every leader experiences.

We don’t talk about this enough, but every leader feels this at the beginning.

Leadership Is About Self-Awareness, Not Perfection

Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to navigate the unknown.

True leadership begins with:

• Self-awareness

• Understanding your tendencies

• Knowing your triggers

• Recognizing your blind spots

• Learning how your communication impacts others

Without internal clarity, no policy manual or leadership technique will ever be enough. And just as importantly—you must give yourself permission to learn.

That means giving yourself permission to make mistakes. Permission to grow. Permission to rise.

Why I Created the Leadership Essentials Course

I built the Leadership Essentials course for emerging leaders like you—people who are eager, committed, and maybe just a little unsure of where to begin.

This isn’t a course filled with buzzwords or rigid models. It’s a real foundation—the kind of foundation I wish I’d had early in my career.

Inside the course, we cover:

• Emotional intelligence

• Ethical decision-making

• Communication strategies

• Situational leadership

• Problem-solving and conflict navigation

• Real-life healthcare scenarios from my 25+ years of experience

One of the most powerful parts of the course is the reflection work.

Leadership is not something you do—it’s something you become.

Deep reflection strengthens:

• Confidence

• Resilience

• Self-awareness

• Decision-making

• Emotional maturity

That’s why I included guided reflections and journal prompts. And for readers, I’ve written several leadership e-books that dive deeper into topics like emotional intelligence, leading through change, and balancing empathy with accountability.

These are short, practical reads—filled with the real lessons I learned the hard way.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

What I wish someone had told me early on is this:

You don’t have to learn every lesson the hard way. You can borrow wisdom. You can learn from others’ experiences. You can grow faster by being open, curious, and willing to reflect.

Every resource I create—whether it’s a course, a video, a journal, or a guided message—is meant to walk beside you, not ahead of you.

A Message to Every Emerging Leader

If you’re a new or developing leader in healthcare, I want you to hear this clearly:

You are not alone. You are not failing. You are becoming.

Leadership is not a destination—it’s a journey. And you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Keep learning. Keep asking questions. Keep giving yourself grace.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up.

And I’ll be here—cheering you on, guiding you, and celebrating the leader you’re becoming.

– Harper