The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter

by Michael D. Watkins

If you’re successful in building credibility and securing early wins, the momentum likely will propel you through the rest of your tenure.

You therefore should start right away to identify those whose support is essential for your success, and to figure out how to line them up on your side.

you build a team of competent people whom you trust, you establish goals and metrics to monitor their progress, you translate higher-level goals into specific responsibilities for your direct reports, and you reinforce them through process.

Decision making becomes more political—less about authority, and more about influence.

To overcome these barriers and succeed in joining a new company, you should focus on four pillars of effective onboarding: business orientation, stakeholder connection, alignment of expectations, and cultural adaptation.

Some may even work to undermine you. This kind of thing may subside with time. But expect early tests of your authority, and plan to meet them by being firm and fair. If you don’t establish limits early, you will live to regret it.

Effective leaders strike the right balance between doing (making things happen) and being (observing and reflecting).

Remember: simply displaying a genuine desire to learn and understand translates into increased credibility and influence.