From Doer to Leader: The Shift No One Talks About.

“That’s the job.”
Those were the four words my boss said when I told him I felt like a failure six months into my first leadership role. I wasn’t producing deliverables. I wasn’t checking off tasks. I was spending most of my time… talking.

Turns out, that was the work.

When you move from individual contributor to leader of people, everything changes—but no one tells you how much. You’re no longer measured by what you accomplish. Your success now rides on your ability to enable others to achieve.

This week, I want to share the core idea from Chapter 1 of Feed Your Team.

Being good at your job gets you promoted. But doing your job is not the same as leading a team. What made you great as a team member can actually hold you back as a team leader. It’s not about working harder, it’s about thinking differently.

• The team’s success is now your success.

• Your old measures of achievement are outdated.

• Spending time “just talking” to your team? That’s not a waste—it’s the job.

Here are the 5 core characteristics you should adopt as a leader:

1. Self-Awareness
   Only 10–15% of people are truly self-aware. That’s a problem because your team can spot your blind spots even when you can’t. Want to grow? Ask your partner, your peers, or do a 360 review. What you don’t see can hurt your credibility—what you own builds trust.

2. Effective Communication
   Assume nothing. Say everything. And then repeat it. Communication should feel like over-communication (yes, even to you). Want to lead well? Share the who, what, when, where, and why—every time.

3. Learning Agility
   The best leaders aren’t know-it-alls. They’re learn-it-alls. Build in time to ask “What have we learned?” every quarter. Show your team you’re evolving—then give them permission to do the same.

4. Professional Curiosity
   Dive into a teammate’s project as a junior contributor. Switch roles with a peer leader for a week. Ask questions. Explore ideas. Your curiosity creates a culture of innovation.

5. Integrity (Especially in the Small Moments)
   Leadership isn’t defined by big, bold choices. It’s shaped in the quiet, consistent decisions—especially when your former peers are watching. Set the standard. Stick to it. Every. Single. Time.

The First Hurdles: What Everyone Struggles With

Even the best new leaders face the same challenges. Here are three I see over and over—and how to tackle them head-on:

• Imposter Syndrome
  That voice in your head? It’s not a sign you’re failing—it’s a signal you’re growing. Acknowledge it, flip the narrative, and build a mental portfolio of wins to combat the doubt.

• Managing Difficult People
  Whether it's the underperformer with a bad attitude or the high-performer who undermines others—start with curiosity, set clear expectations, and don’t delay the hard conversations. Fair doesn’t mean passive.

• Delegating Without Micromanaging
  Yes, you built it. But now it’s time to hand it off. Match the task to someone’s strengths, walk away (yes, really), and be okay with them doing it differently—maybe even better.

Leadership isn't about becoming a different person—it's about becoming more you than ever before. More self-aware. More intentional. More human. The shift from “doer of things” to “leader of people” is one of the hardest—and most rewarding—career pivots you’ll ever make.

If no one’s told you this yet:
You’re doing better than you think.
And yes—spending most of your day talking?
That’s the job.

Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!

The Speakers Collaborative Mini-Course is Now Free.

Do you want a taste of our program? Head here and do our self-paced mini course for free. (also it isn’t lost on me that I was wearing a crappy polo during the “dress to impress” module. That was the rehearsal and it was so much better than the suited up version that we rolled with it.)