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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The transition from Subject Matter Expert (SME) to first-time leader is a critical
yet underexplored career milestone with significant implications for individual growth
and organisational effectiveness. Understanding this transition is essential, as SMEs often
face unique challenges when moving into leadership roles, including balancing technical
expertise with relational and strategic skills. This research addresses this gap by
investigating the learning challenges and strategies experienced by first-time leaders in
Norwegian organisations.
Employing a grounded theory methodology, this research utilised a qualitative,
inductive approach to explore the lived experiences of seven first-time leaders across
diverse industries. Semi-structured interviews formed the core of data collection and were
analysed through thematic analysis to derive key patterns and themes.
The findings reveal three major themes: (1) building relationships and trust, (2)
transitioning into leadership, and (3) learning challenges. Candidates emphasised the
importance of credibility, active listening, and effective delegation to establish trust and
foster collaboration, particularly when managing experienced teams. Experiential
learning—through trial and error, reflective practices, and peer feedback—emerged as a
primary mechanism for skill development in the absence of structured mentorship and
onboarding programs.
This research provides actionable insights for organisations seeking to better
support first-time leaders by designing tailored development frameworks. It contributes
to the academic discourse on leadership transitions by highlighting the complex interplay
of technical expertise, interpersonal dynamics, and psychological resilience. Ultimately,
the study underscores the transformative potential of transitioning from SME to
leadership, offering pathways for enhanced individual and organisational outcomes.
Description
Keywords
First-time leadership Subject matter experts Transitioning to leadership Organisational support for new leaders Grounded theory Semi-structured interviews
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Hendricks, Patrick Fiskaa (2025). “From subject matter expert to first-time leader: a grounded theory approach on learning challenges for first-time leaders in Norway”. Dissertação de Mestrado. Universidade de Lisboa. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão