“There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.” – G. K. Chesterton

When we are new leaders, there can be a tendency to make a big statement. After all, we’re the new person coming in, most often replacing someone else. Sometimes the leadership role was created by the company’s growth and need to delegate a job to another department and team. Sometimes it’s because there’s a vacancy due to someone’s departure. Either way, however you came to be the one who is now in leadership, you’re the leader. You’ve been given authority and position to make changes and lead a team of people for the success of the company. I want to ask the question, what’s the first thing you do in your new role of leadership?

I’ve had the privilege of being under many a new leader. Most of the time due to company growth, there’s been a need to delegate roles and responsibilities so that the infrastructure can support its growth. In high growth companies, this becomes a necessity to build an infrastructure to support the people that are coming in. Lot’s of people who were once individual contributors become managers, sometimes, overnight. So what do you do first? What’s your first step in leading your team? What’s the first step in joining the leadership team?

Listen.

Yes, you should celebrate, and be congratulated for the opportunity you get to lead. For your leadership opportunity is a sign and confirmation that others see leadership in you. Leaders beget leaders, you are seen as a leader, so celebrate and receive that affirmation. Someone sees the qualities of leadership in you, so now you’ve entered into what John Maxwell would call the first level of leadership—Positional Leadership, “people follow you because they have to.” This new post gives you the ability to define what kind of leader you’re going to be. So what kind of leader are you going to be?

“So what kind of leader are you going to be?”

This is why your first step is to listen—to observe, to ask questions, to consider. It’s the most active first step someone can take. For most of us, we’re following in the footsteps of a previous leader who’s built infrastructure to support the growing organization, or as in the Chesterton quote above, there’s fences already already built when you show up.

“Fences are helpful and provide great support for the safety and protection of others.”

Personally, I don’t like fences. I grew up in a neighborhood that very few of us had fences. There were fenceless backyards all around, which made it fun for me growing up because we could sneak around all over the neighborhood. But even though I don’t like fences, we all know there’s a need for fences—to keep things in and to keep other things out. Sometimes fences bring protection to what’s within the perimeter of the fence, keeping animals contained, providing privacy, or protecting from outside invaders. Fences also protect the outside from what’s inside. If someone has an aggressive animal, I’m grateful they have a fence between me and their raging bull, for instance. Or, in high voltage area, I’m grateful for fences because it keeps me from going in places that I could get hurt. Fences are helpful and provide great support for the safety and protection of others.

And sometimes in companies, fences are put up to provide protection both for its employees as well as the growth and support of the greater mission. But as a new leader, we may not know that. You may not know why fences are put up as you step into this new leadership position. Great. Before you go and tear it down, clearing the pathway for you and your goals, consider this, why was the fence put up in the first place?

Sometimes the reason is still relevant today, and if you, as the leader, go and tear down that fence, you’ll actually hurt yourself and others unnecessarily. Other times, the fence needs torn down to expand.

“A fence will look like a barrier or an obstacle unless you listen and learn why the fence was put up in the first place.”

A fence will look like a barrier or an obstacle unless you listen and learn why the fence was put up in the first place. That fence could save you and your new team a lot of heartache.

If you’re new to leadership, or about to take your first step in your leadership journey, at a new company, in a new department, especially within your existing department, consider this, learn why previous decisions were made, learn why the fences were put up, then, and only then, consider if the fences need to be torn down.

Don’t cause you or your team unneeded harm just because you want to establish yourself as a leader in your new post. You already are the leader. Take the first step to listen.