Why do new leaders fail?

New leaders know they must prove themselves right out of the gate. But in pursuing quick wins, they often fall into traps that undermine success, say Van Buren and Safferstone. For example, a new leader might:

• Focus too much on details
• React negatively to criticism
• Intimidate others
• Jump to conclusions about how best to solve particular problems
• Micromanage employees

One new call center supervisor began micromanaging employees in a bid to improve their first-call-issue-resolution rate. Her style made them feel stifled and underappreciated. Within five months, the rate dropped 15 percent.