Starting out as a new leader is exciting - a career-defining moment that recognises your capability, experience, and potential.

And that ambitious streak that helped you get here - it’s raring to go, take on more, and prove the trust placed in you was well deserved.

In these early days, it’s easy to go all in, say yes to everything and give all your time and energy to making your new role a success.

But leadership doesn’t automatically settle into something sustainable. You have to make it that way.

So if you're a new leader, figuring it out as you go, trying to lead well and keep your life intact - this one’s for you.

Here are 5 things I’ve seen, learned (and lived) that have helped.

1. Look after your body (and it’ll look after you right back)

Self-care is everywhere these days. Scroll through social media, pop on a podcast, and you’ll be hit with a wave of tips on how to optimise your health and boost performance,

And while some of it’s useful, it can quickly become overwhelming. With so much noise, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it all wrong, or worse, tune out entirely.

Personally, I prefer to keep it simple. Instead of chasing every 1% micro-habit, I come back to the things we’ve known for decades and still don’t prioritise well enough: sleep, a decent diet, and regular exercise.

The basics might not be glamorous, but the science is clear. These aren’t just wellness tips - they’re the foundation of your energy, focus, and cognitive performance. If you want to lead well, think clearly, and make good decisions, your brain needs fuel and your body needs rest.

Start there, the rest can wait.

2. Get clear on your boundaries (and which ones are non-negotiable)

We’ve come to associate hustle with success - like being constantly ‘on’ is some kind of badge of honour. It’s been glamorised in films, rewarded in certain work cultures, and reinforced by the always-available nature of modern technology.

But, the busiest person in the room is rarely the happiest.

Being constantly switched on might look impressive from the outside, but it’s far from sustainable on the inside.

Boundaries aren’t about being unavailable or difficult, they’re about being intentional with your time and energy, so you can show up fully where it matters most.

And, this isn’t just about you anymore, your team are paying attention. They’re observing how you operate, how you set limits, how you manage your time, how you switch off (or don’t).

The signals you send shape what they think is expected of them too. If you’re sending emails at 10pm or never taking a proper break, that becomes the unspoken standard.

So when you set and protect your own boundaries, you’re not just looking after yourself - you’re giving permission for others to do the same.

3. Get yourself a solid support network (before you think you need it)

Humans weren’t built to operate in silos.

Our ancestry is steeped in community and we survived because we lived, worked, and supported each other in groups. Back then, being isolated could quite literally get you killed.

These days, we can technically survive alone. But that doesn’t mean we thrive.

Especially in the Western world, we’ve become increasingly individualistic.

We pride ourselves on independence, self-sufficiency, “figuring it out on our own.”

But at what cost?

Loneliness is now one of the leading contributors to mental health struggles in the UK. And leadership, especially when you’re new to it, can be a lonely place, if you let it.

I see this often when I coach new leaders. They’re navigating a big transition, under pressure to deliver, unsure who they can really talk to. And because they don’t want to appear like they’re struggling, they keep it all in.

The truth is, leadership is too taxing to take on alone.

We need people we can be honest and open with: peers, mentors, a coach, even just a wise friend who gets it. People who can listen, reflect things back, challenge us kindly, or just remind us we’re not going mad!

So the question is: will you build support by choice now – or by force later?

4. Set expectations early (clarity over guesswork)

New leaders often fall into the trap of trying to be endlessly available. Saying yes to everything. Picking up what others drop. It can feel like the right thing to do; kind, supportive, team-focused.

But kindness isn’t the same as clarity.

Without clear expectations, people are left guessing and about priorities, what matters and how to work with you. That guessing creates stress, for everyone.

Setting expectations - about how you work, what you value, what’s okay and what’s not- gives your team something to anchor to. And it gives you the breathing room to lead with intention rather than constantly firefighting.

It might feel awkward at first, especially if you’re used to being the one who steps in to help, but awkward now is far better than overwhelmed later.

5. Practice perspective (regularly)

Work matters. Especially when you’re new in the role. You’re throwing yourself in, trying to make a difference, doing your best to earn trust and find your feet.

But the ability to step back, to zoom out, to take perspective, that’s not just a nice-to-have. It’s one of the most important long-term leadership tools.

Because whilst your work is important, it’s not everything. And remembering that is what helps you show up calmly, rather than intensely.

Ask yourself: “Will this matter in a day? A week? A year?”

These simple questions reduce the pressure and give you just enough distance to think clearly. That distance is often what stands between staying grounded and tipping into overwhelm.

Perspective doesn’t take the load away, but it definitely makes it lighter, and over time, that’s what keeps burnout at bay.

Your next steps

Every leadership journey looks different. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t and trust yourself to know where to begin.

Maybe it’s setting a boundary that’s been bothering you
Maybe it’s rethinking your schedule to create time and space to think
Maybe it’s realising that leadership doesn't have to come at the expense of everything else in your life.

Wherever you start, know that great leadership takes time. Let’s build it in a way that lasts.

Supporting first-time senior leaders

Hi, I’m Rachel - a Leadership Coach and former HR Director with two decades of experience across healthcare, media, tech, and travel.

I’ve coached and partnered with leaders at every level - from high-potential managers finding their feet to CEOs navigating complex change. I’ve seen what strong leadership makes possible, and what weak leadership can cost.

Now, I use that experience to support first-time senior leaders to step up with confidence (without losing themselves in the process).

Ways to work with me:

Coaching Power Hour: Quick. Decisive. Focused. Find out more

Senior Leader Accelerator: 3 month coaching intensive. Find out more

5 ways to step up (without burning out)