Download PDF
Engagement : Trust : Culture

New Leader Fears Questionnaire

Here’s a synthesis of 20 common fears/issues new leaders present with, grounded in the evidence-based leadership research (Burns, Bass, Clutterbuck, Treviño, Harrison, Amundsen, Kouzes & Posner) and similar scholarship. These are grouped into five thematic categories so you can notice the patterns and their theoretical roots.  On a scale of 1-5, please rate where you feel you identify with these constructs/statements, where:

1
strongly disagree
2
disagree
3
neither disagree or agree
4
Agree
5
strongly agree
1

Identity & Self-Perception Fears.

(Links to Kouzes & Posner’s credibility work, Amundsen’s self-leadership, and Imposter Syndrome literature)
Rating

1.Imposter Syndrome – “I’m not good enough to lead; they’ll find out I’m a fraud.”

2.Never Led Before – I have No past leadership role to draw on for confidence.

3.Never Been Formally Trained in Leadership –I fear of “not knowing the rules.”

4.Fear of Being Judged – I Worry that every decision is scrutinised by peers and superiors.

5.Fear of Losing Authenticity – Concern that adopting a leadership persona will make me seem fake

2

Skills & Capability Gaps

(Bass’s transformational leadership competencies, Clutterbuck’s mentoring research)
Rating

6.Difficult Conversations – I May Avoid conflict, performance feedback, or tough calls.

7.Delegation Anxiety – I Fear that handing work over will lead to mistakes or loss of control.

8.Decision Paralysis – I worry about making the “wrong” decisions and damaging my credibility

9.Time Management Overload – I may Feel buried in tasks with no space for strategic thinking

10.Lack of Coaching Skills – I am Unsure how to grow and empower the team members effectively

New Leader Fears Questionnaire
1
strongly disagree
2
disagree
3
neither disagree or agree
4
Agree
5
strongly agree
3

Relationship & Team Dynamics Concerns

(Burns’s transformational leadership, Harrison’s interpersonal dynamics)
Rating

11.Leading Former Peers – I may struggle with navigating the shift from “colleague” to “boss.”

12.Building Trust – I am unsure how to earn respect quickly in a new role.

13.Managing Resistance – I worry about handling pushback from experienced or senior team members.

14.Fear of Not Being Liked – I may overcompensate to maintain harmony at the expense of accountability

15.Cultural & Diversity Sensitivity – I Fear of making mistakes in inclusive leadership.

4

Ethics & Organisational Politics

(Treviño’s ethical leadership, Burns’s moral leadership)
Rating

16.Navigating Organisational Politics – I am unsure how to balance integrity with political realities.

17.Ethical Dilemmas – I worry about being pressured to compromise on values

18.Hidden Agendas & Power Plays – I Fear being blindsided by stakeholders.

5

Change & Performance Pressures

(Kouzes & Posner’s challenge-the-process, Bass’s change leadership)
Rating

19.Fear of Leading Change – I am anxious about mobilising people through uncertainty.

20.Performance Pressure – I Feel the weight of delivering results quickly to “prove” capability.

New Leader Fears Questionnaire

Notes