I’m not sure anyone knows what to expect when they enter the work world. I’m not sure anyone knows what to expect on their first day at a new job. To some degree, we are all a bit naïve when we enter those new arenas. There is so much to learn, and so much that is untaught.
Learning how to survive in the work world and in the leadership ranks is a challenging process. Learning how to navigate the egos and insecurities of others, as well as your own, is a harrowing experience. Learning where, when, and how to place your trust, and having that trust broken, are all part of the journey.
I found a way to survive beyond leadership, but I did not escape without some scars. A few years back, I posted on LinkedIn every day for eighteen months. I had so many stories, so many experiences that I simply didn’t know how to process.
Those of you who have been a part of Fantasy Fridays know that I turned back to writing after avoiding it for thirty years. In addition to finally writing the fantasy trilogy that had been in my imagination for all that time, I also distilled the hard lessons I learned as a leader into the book that I released in March of 2026, The War of Leadership. I am also sharing these lessons in more depth via my weekly Leadership Lesson Learned emails.
Learning how to survive in the leadership ranks is a challenging process, and it IS possible. You are not alone.
Thank you for joining us in the arena.
