Are New Leaders Ready? The Critical Skills They’re Missing

Leadership is evolving faster than ever—and growing more complex by the day. Yet, readiness isn’t keeping pace. Consider these eye-opening stats:

• 77% of organizations report a lack of leadership depth across all levels.
• 71% of millennials say they’ll leave within three years if leadership development is lacking.
• Only 29% of employees trust their managers to lead effectively.

These numbers tell a clear story: We’re promoting people into leadership roles but not preparing them for success.

From Contributor to Leader: A Personal Journey

Stepping into a leadership role is a major shift. Many new leaders—myself included—enter the role without the critical skills needed to thrive. I feared failure daily. I avoided conflict, hesitated to delegate, and constantly second-guessed my decisions.

But growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Over time, I leaned into those fears, built the skills I lacked, and discovered what effective leadership truly looks like. I led successful projects, built trust with my team, and achieved milestones I once thought were out of reach.

The Power of Conflict in Leadership

One of the most essential—and often overlooked—skills in leadership is the ability to embrace conflict. Fear of conflict is common, but avoiding it comes at a high cost. Leaders who dodge tough conversations risk creating mistrust and stagnation within their teams.

When conflict is approached with curiosity and courage, it becomes a catalyst for innovation, trust, and transparency. Conflict isn’t chaos—it’s a signal for growth. Handled constructively, it strengthens teams and sharpens leadership.

Growth Lives on the Edge of Discomfort

Leaders who lean into fear—especially the fear of conflict—are standing at the edge of growth. Discomfort drives creativity, empathy, and bold decision-making. It’s where real leadership begins.

MRA is here to help you prepare your emerging leaders. Learn more about Supervision Fundamentals and our other leadership courses.