Michael Watkins provides a framework for transition acceleration that will help leaders diagnose their situations, craft winning transition strateg...
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Nov 21, 2009
Themistocles
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Well, let's put it this way: if you need this book, then you obviously have no place in managing anything, and your pet goldfish is probably already dead out of neglect and lack of food.
Really?? Is this one of the best business books of the last years? Published by Harvard Press? For the love of god... As Dilbert would say, I was blinded by the obvious time and again and got tired of the oh-so-original (NOT!) charts and diagrams very soon. What practical advice the author gives could More...
Really?? Is this one of the best business books of the last years? Published by Harvard Press? For the love of god... As Dilbert would say, I was blinded by the obvious time and again and got tired of the oh-so-original (NOT!) charts and diagrams very soon. What practical advice the author gives could More...
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Apr 14, 2010
Ryan
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I'm very skeptical of business books - I see them as slightly more serious versions of Get Rich Quick books and Self Help books. But this was actually helpful. As someone who's worked in less traditional office and business settings, starting a new job in a real organization would be a very different experience. The First 90 Days provided some productive ways of thinking about how offices and coworker and boss relationships work. It also gave strategies of thinking about how to hit the ground ru
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Aug 05, 2011
Vince
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I think you'll find this book by Watkins quite disappointing if you're expecting some extraordinary insight on how to successfully take on a new role. This book isn't a summary of theory backed up by research. Nor is it a collection of motivating war stories.
This book is much more suitable if treated as a checklist. Assuming you agree that having a strategy is critical to successfully transitioning to a new role, how do you go about formulating this strategy? How do you m More...
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Oct 06, 2011
Shaun
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This book discussed how to succeed when transitioning to a new job, employer or promotion. It helped me understand how to create a plan to succeed during a job transition period. It recommended getting your boss and colleagues involved, especially coming to understand what your manager's objectives are and helping them be successful. This was a book on CD and I took some notes while listening, but I will have to read this book or listen to the CDs a 2nd time to get a better understanding of thes
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Jan 31, 2012
Matthew
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This is the second time I've read the book in the last 3 months (first when there was a vague possibility of transitioning and now just before I transition).
Both times I've had the same experience: the first few chapters are widely applicable to all levels, while the later chapters are more narrowly focused on senior general line managers or executives. Thus limiting its applicability and usefulness.
It has been useful in generating a lot of questions and direction for me, More...
Both times I've had the same experience: the first few chapters are widely applicable to all levels, while the later chapters are more narrowly focused on senior general line managers or executives. Thus limiting its applicability and usefulness.
It has been useful in generating a lot of questions and direction for me, More...
Jan 19, 2012
Vinod
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I was given this book by my boss at Cisco, Shailesh Shukla, when I took on a new role as head of engineering for MARSBU. If you are curious about the acronym, yes, it is the Business Unit from MARS. I opened the book and randomly landed on page 115 which had a section titled "Educate your Boss"; that definitely made this a must read.
The book is definitely a quick read and I had to pace myself so that I don't read it all in a couple of sittings and quickly forget all that I ha More...
The book is definitely a quick read and I had to pace myself so that I don't read it all in a couple of sittings and quickly forget all that I ha More...
Jun 14, 2010
Michelle
rated it: 
A fantastic book for anyone newly in a position, or to prepare for moving into a position - great prep for a promotion. Teaches how to have big wins early on to set yourself up for success; also discusses inheriting a team and when/how to make changes.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to anyone about to enter a transition period in their career, especially when taking on new challenges. I've lent my copy out so many times the pages are dog-eared throughout and it s More...
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to anyone about to enter a transition period in their career, especially when taking on new challenges. I've lent my copy out so many times the pages are dog-eared throughout and it s More...
Dec 27, 2011
Janine
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Really a recommended read for anyone starting a new job in a management-type funtion. Some things are very basic if you have some management experience. Others are a little over the top and go into strategy and conceptual things that only pertain to C-level executives. So, for the mid-level manager like me, you need to carefully grab what applies to you. I really enjoyed the chapter on securing early wins, explaining how you pick some low-hanging fruit in your early days at the job and tackle bi
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Aug 04, 2008
Bob
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As a keen student of new manager behaviour always on the lookout for new ideas, I picked up “The First 90 Days” with great anticipation. Michael Watkins sets out to provide new managers (he calls them “leaders”) with a 90 day plan for taking over in a new role. There’s lots to recommend this book. There’s also lots to question.
In “The First 90 Days”, the author stresses the importance of building momentum during the critical transition phase from new manager to successful manager More...
In “The First 90 Days”, the author stresses the importance of building momentum during the critical transition phase from new manager to successful manager More...
Jan 05, 2010
Jo
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I wasn't overwhelmed by this book. Perhaps it doesn't help that I've come to it late (i.e. after the 90 days have already passed) but that's because the first time I tried to read it, when it did apply, I put it aside as dull, unimaginative and fundamentally formulaic).
If you're a busy person looking for ways to accelerate your learning, get to grips with new teams, define a new strategy or adapt to a new company, in my opinion, you don't have time to bother with this book. So I'll s More...
If you're a busy person looking for ways to accelerate your learning, get to grips with new teams, define a new strategy or adapt to a new company, in my opinion, you don't have time to bother with this book. So I'll s More...
Mar 09, 2011
Christoph
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Wish I had discovered this book 3 years ago when I first moved into a managerial position.
A recommended read ! A practical hands-on book on making the transition.
Some reviewer wrote that if you need this book, you're not ready to be a manager : I don't agree because I think the book provides a blueprint to actually PLAN your entry from milestone to milestone and being in a transition it can be hard to focus on what is important instead of letting it all flood you over.
A recommended read ! A practical hands-on book on making the transition.
Some reviewer wrote that if you need this book, you're not ready to be a manager : I don't agree because I think the book provides a blueprint to actually PLAN your entry from milestone to milestone and being in a transition it can be hard to focus on what is important instead of letting it all flood you over.
Jan 25, 2009
Moe
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A thoughtful, current, business-minded buddy of mine gave me this book recently. It's a great head start to efficiently ramping up performance in the first three months on a job. It lays ideas and processes out in a methodical, direct way - makes sense. Also shows why middle mgmt typically leaves companies after only a couple years, rather than higher-ups, who stay on much longer. Interesting read so far - will comment more when further into it.
Nov 28, 2010
Steven
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I first read this book in 2005, as I was in the beginning stages of transitioning into a new role. Is it helpful? Yes, it is.
Basic templates, along with more advanced ideas, make this book more than valuable.
I see from some of the other reviews people say this book is either too advanced, or too simplistic. It's neither. It's got strategies for a brand new manager at a small scale, or even executives of large F500 companies. It's a process, and you can apply it to any trans More...
Basic templates, along with more advanced ideas, make this book more than valuable.
I see from some of the other reviews people say this book is either too advanced, or too simplistic. It's neither. It's got strategies for a brand new manager at a small scale, or even executives of large F500 companies. It's a process, and you can apply it to any trans More...
Jul 24, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
Read SEP 2007
Watkins introduces an ineffective concept for leadership development called "Darwinian Leadership Development" where candidates are "thrown into the deep end" and left alone to survive or more often fail. This book provides contrasting strategies and foundation for transitioning into a new role.
Watkins introduces an ineffective concept for leadership development called "Darwinian Leadership Development" where candidates are "thrown into the deep end" and left alone to survive or more often fail. This book provides contrasting strategies and foundation for transitioning into a new role.
Jan 05, 2009
Hawkgrrrl
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This is a must read for anyone in their first 90 days of a new role or even if you are not. The tips on how to manage your relationship with your boss alone make this worthwhile reading. The assessment of the situation, and the tips on how to determine your course of action are great advice.
Jun 07, 2009
Angeldauria
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This book gave some practical advise for starting out in a new position. It gave me the insight necessary to take action early on assessing the team and making changes where needed. Now that some time has passed I think it would help to read again and do lessons learned comparison.
Apr 13, 2011
Stephen
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Good book to get organized on how to move to a new role or company. Lots of grids, forms, and methods to easily plug in your own experience, conditions, and objectives and receive actionable advice on priorities, strategies and what to watch out for.
Feb 20, 2010
Mcwazza
rated it: 
There are some ideas to take away from this book, and I may flick through it again at some time in the future, but the condescending style of the author really grates.
The author instructs readers not to turn the page until filling out a table, orders readers to take active notes while reading because this book is so important.
The concepts are good ideas, if common sense, but written in too much of a text-book style, and do not contain enough practical case studies or an
The author instructs readers not to turn the page until filling out a table, orders readers to take active notes while reading because this book is so important.
The concepts are good ideas, if common sense, but written in too much of a text-book style, and do not contain enough practical case studies or an
Jan 25, 2010
Matt
rated it:
An excellent analysis on the types of situation one finds oneself in as a leader (4 types) and more importantly some very practical advice on how to deal with each situation and how NOT to confuse them and thus avoid making yourself a bad leader.
Feb 09, 2009
Kathryn
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This book was great. Very concise, and extremely well organized. From soup to nuts, it provides excellent guidance for those who find themselves in a new position of leadership within an organization. Chapter by chapter, Watkins provides effective tools for diagnosing specific types of leadership crises/ oppotunities and helpful suggestions for negotiating a path to success. I found the anecdotes he provided to be extremely helpful and not cheesy or inappropriate, as is often the case with a
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Jan 21, 2009
Rob
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I recommend this book to anyone changing positions within their company or moving to a new company. It makes you focus on how to make a good impression in your first 90 days.
Sep 15, 2010
Suresh
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This is a very good on leadership especially in a new environment. It provide different situations that companies can be in and gives suggestions for each of these scenarios.
Apr 08, 2010
I do a lot of work with on-boarding. I have seen plenty of people fail miserably! This is a must read. It gives you the tools to set yourself up for long term success.
Jan 04, 2009
Marco
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Very interesting book to executives recently hired or promoted to a new top/middle management position. Good gift to successfull candidates on executive search projects!
Oct 04, 2011
John
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Great book if you are starting a new job. Many of the ideas are very usable and help to get you providing value earlier than expected in your new role.
Jun 21, 2011
Nikita T.
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Simply put: this book bored me to tears every time I picked it up.
I started reading it in April and only made it as far as page 111. I won't say I didn't get anything useful out of it, because that's not true. However, most of it was either a) dull - no other way to describe how I felt about it while reading it, or b) nothing new.
I'll pick it up again one day when I'm transitioning organizations at a more senior level. I think that's probably the only crowd that will fi More...
I started reading it in April and only made it as far as page 111. I won't say I didn't get anything useful out of it, because that's not true. However, most of it was either a) dull - no other way to describe how I felt about it while reading it, or b) nothing new.
I'll pick it up again one day when I'm transitioning organizations at a more senior level. I think that's probably the only crowd that will fi More...
Dec 12, 2010
Leah
rated it:
This was a great book for helpful hints on how to survive the first 30 months of a new position, be it at a new company or changing rolls at the same one.
Oct 14, 2011
William
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I was unable to finish this book because of how bland and boring it was. I expected to get some good general information about becoming a leader, but it is so specific about moving to a new leadership position from a previous leadership position that little of it was useful. It reminded me of trying to read my old high school textbooks.
Jan 24, 2010
Gordon
rated it:
As business books go this was a pretty good read:
- relevant content
- some interesting tips
- not very strong case studies
- no real hints on what to do when circumstances overcome it's plans
When undergoing a big job transition (or maybe even experiencing a new master) it's worth a quick read.
- relevant content
- some interesting tips
- not very strong case studies
- no real hints on what to do when circumstances overcome it's plans
When undergoing a big job transition (or maybe even experiencing a new master) it's worth a quick read.
