The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies For New Leaders At All Levels

The First 90 Days:  Critical Success Strategies  For New Leaders At All Levels

Many helpful recommendations for leaders about to take on a new role.

Author(s): Michael Watkins

Publisher: Village Mondial

Date of publication: 2006

Manageris opinion

Regardless of how experienced a manager may be, any newcomer is extremely vulnerable in the first few weeks after taking a new position. Indeed, a new leader does not yet have a clear vision of the challenges that lie ahead, does not yet know what he or she needs to surmount those challenges successfully, and has not yet established a network of supporters to rely upon. To boot, any missteps committed in the first days often compromise any hope of success.
In response to these challenges, the author provides many helpful recommendations for new leaders, such as to “invest” in a structured learning process, to conduct an analysis in order to identify the specific characteristics of the context of their new job, to build their legitimacy rapidly with subordinates and superiors, specifically by realizing quick wins, to develop a network of supporters and advisors, etc. The great number of practical tips offered – checklists, self-assessments, practical interview guides, etc. – make this book a very effective handbook for leaders about to take on a new role.