On Being a First-Time Leader
A practical, grounded guide for first-time people managers who want to lead with more confidence, clarity, and impact.
This Book Is for You If…
• You’re a first-time people manager trying to figure it out without a playbook
• You want to lead well without losing yourself in the process
• You replay conversations in your head after they’re over
• You care about impact, not just authority
• You want practical tools—not leadership fluff
What You’ll Learn
• How assumptions and interpretations quietly shape your leadership
• How to spot automatic negative thoughts before they take over
• How to respond instead of react under pressure
• How to communicate clearly without over-explaining or rescuing
• How to identify your dominant leadership “Driver” and work with it.
A Simple Framework You Can Actually Use
This book is grounded in the P.I.E.S. framework—a practical approach to self-leadership that supports clarity, confidence, and sustainable impact.
• Permission to be GREAT is Granted
• Imperfection is Encouraged
• Eyes on Self
• Support Community Creation
Because effective leadership starts on the inside and it’s not meant to be done alone.
About Joan
Hi, I’m Joan Kling.
I’ve spent nearly two decades leading Code Enforcement teams across multiple local government jurisdictions and more than 15 years coaching leaders who care deeply about doing their work well and doing it with integrity.
This book is the playbook I wish I’d had when I first had a team to lead. There wasn’t one, so I made plenty of mistakes. I wrote this to help you avoid some of the bumps and bruises I experienced on the road to becoming an effective leader, and to support you now before you start doubting yourself, overthinking every conversation, or carrying everyone else’s stress as your own.
On Being a First-Time Leader is about understanding what’s driving you, learning to respond instead of react, and leading in a way that feels aligned, not exhausting.
Ready to lead with more clarity and confidence? Get your name on the waitlist.
Join the waitlist to receive updates, early access, and bonus content as On Being a First-Time Leader gets closer to release.