So you suddenly find
yourself leading something?

That sinking feeling you have is normal. “What have I gotten myself into?” Also normal.

If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you were not seeking out leadership, but that leadership found you. That’s often a sign that you are indeed the ideal leader for something. If someone says, “This thing needs to be led, and I think you are the person to do it,” that’s often a vote of confidence and an acknowledgement that you may have potential that you aren’t aware of. It may also be a sign of desperation on the side of other leaders, who simply need this thing off their plate now so they can focus on other things.

Either way, this is for you. It’s a field guide to leadership that will serve you well. It’s not a master class or a text book, and it’s not a detailed how-to guide, but a primer to help you start somewhere so that you’re not totally lost.

You can read it quickly so you find your bearings, then refer back to it as situations arise.

Congrats! And condolences.