Ever stepped into a new leadership position, accelerated into fifth gear, and realized your team was still idling in neutral?

Or worse, realized your fast pace accidentally stepped on a few toes right out the gate?

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

This challenge hits ambitious go-getters especially hard. Driven leaders who have worked relentlessly to earn their seat at the table often feel immense pressure to prove themselves immediately. Naturally, they put the pedal to the metal the second they arrive. But when high-octane drive outpaces team alignment, even the best intentions can lead to unintended speed bumps, friction, and ruffled feathers.

In our latest episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, Ben-Jamin Toy, HSG and I spoke with special guest Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, for a candid chat about what happens when fast-paced leadership meets team dynamics.

From Fifth Gear to First Gear

When Stephanie stepped into a leadership position tasked with fixing organizational friction, she hit the ground running. However, no one had communicated her mandate to the rest of the staff. What felt like strategic momentum to her felt like being a "bull in a china shop" to her team.

Instead of doubling down or letting ego take over, Stephanie stepped up, hired a coach, and embraced radical vulnerability. She realized that to lead effectively, she had to shift out of fifth gear, drop back down to first gear, and meet her team right where they were.

By offering sincere apologies and mending fences, she proved that you don't only get one chance to make a great impression. You earn second chances when you are willing to own your growth.

Stephanie’s story comes at the perfect time as we count down to Cohesion Culture™ Day on October 15th!

Cohesion Culture Day is all about fostering workplaces built on trust, psychological safety, and mutual respect. Workplace cohesion creates an environment where leaders and team members feel safe to raise their hands, own their UH-OH moments, and grow together.

How Organizations Can Celebrate October 15th

To help your leadership team and organization reflect, reset, and celebrate Cohesion Culture™ Day on October 15th, use this SHIFT method as a guide to learn from Stephanie's journey:

• S – Slow Down & Listen: Match your team's current pace before pushing for major changes. Take time on October 15th to hold open-door check-ins or feedback sessions to ensure everyone is aligned.
• H – Honor Vulnerability: Host an UH-OH round table or leadership Q&A where executives share past missteps and lessons learned. When leaders model humility, it builds trust across the organization.
• I – Inspect Communication Pipelines: Verify that goals, expectations, and role changes are clearly communicated to all levels of staff so nobody feels caught off guard by fresh initiatives.
• F – Foster Second Chances: Normalize the idea that first impressions do not define a career. Build a workplace culture that celebrates course corrections, sincere apologies, and grace.
• T – Teachability First: Recommit your organization to our core Cohesion Culture mantra: You don’t have to know everything. You just need to be teachable.

Ready for a full dose of leadership wisdom, career insights, and a few laughs about Judge Judy?

Listen to the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders Episode featuring Stephanie Sylvestre on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

How is your organization planning to celebrate Cohesion Culture Day this October 15th? Drop a comment below and let me know!