You’ve just started a brand-new position—congratulations! Whether you accepted a promotion or moved to a new company, you will want to maximize your impact during your first few months of work.
Here are ten ways to successfully launch into your first 90 days in your new position:
1. Build a Solid Relationship with Your Boss
Whatever role you’re in, part of your job will be to maximize your boss’ success. From day one, make it a priority to learn the pressures, expectations, and goals your boss has for your team or department. With your boss’ input, define your top three to five goals for your first three months, and focus your time on those goals. In addition, learn your boss’ communication preferences, typical availability, and management style. Work to align your voice and approach with your boss so that you can present a unified team.
2. Get to Know Key Employees
On day one, ask your boss who you should get to know. These people may not be in the hierarchical authority; some may be key managers, product developers, or people with a long history at the company who can offer insight into the culture. Set up one-on-ones, phone calls, or lunch meetings to get to know these people personally and professionally.
3. Prioritize Listening
One of the most important attitudes you can take toward settling into your new position is openness to learning. Learning requires listening—a lot! Resist the urge to start your job by making sweeping changes. Instead, take the time to learn about your department, team, and organization. Ask questions and then listen to a wide range of answers. Only by first understanding the company as it is can you make suggestions for change.
4. Learn the Written and Unwritten Rules
It’s natural to come into a new role or company and see everything that needs change. However, instantly bucking the culture with new processes and methods can set you up for failure. Take the time to settle into the existing company culture. Learn company processes and rules, both written and unwritten. Once you’ve learned how to operate and appreciate the current culture, then you can start making suggestions for incremental improvements.
5. Specify Clear Priorities and Communicate Them
As you learn more about your boss and company, create longer-term strategic priorities. Align these with your company’s vision and purpose. Communicate and re-communicate these priorities with your team using language that resonates. Adjust your schedule to match your priorities and maximize communication with your team.
6. Be Responsible with Your Entire Job
We all have certain preferred activities and duties, and you probably took your new position in part because it would allow you to pursue those preferences. There’s nothing wrong with that! However, be sure that you are balancing your preferences with those aspects of your job that are not your favorite things to do. Identify your job’s requirements, and do not overemphasize the parts you like best.
7. Follow Through on Promises
If you make a promise, keep it! One sometimes overlooked trait of a good leader is dependability. Dependability doesn’t make headlines, but if your people can’t trust you, you will struggle in your new role. Engender trust in your new team by following through from day one and demonstrating to your team members that they can count on you.
8. Live in the Present
No one wants to hear about your past accomplishments or accolades at your former organization. Instead, they are concerned with how you will approach your new position, your new goals, and how your presence will impact their roles. Live in the present moment, and use your past experience to inform your approach to your new role.
9. ASK for Support at Home
Launching into a new role will require a lot of time and energy. In fact, even if your new job is everything you’ve ever dreamed of, it will still be one of the most stressful events you will experience. Ask your family and friends for understanding and support as you adjust. If you need additional support at home, don’t be afraid to outsource. Grocery and food deliveries, housekeeping, or additional childcare help can differentiate between a successful launch and a long struggle. You can always cut these services back later if necessary.
10. Pursue Small, Impactful Wins from Day One
While one temptation is to dive in headfirst and start making changes from day one, another temptation is to sit back and observe for a few months. Both approaches can lead to failure. While there is value in watching and learning, make sure you make an impact in small ways as soon as possible. Identify small, easy wins you can pursue and demonstrate your value early on.
The failure rate for new leaders is high, with some surveys estimating that 50 – 70% of executives fail within their first 18 months on the job. You will certainly have some challenges and setbacks as you grow into your leadership role, but by following these ten tips, you can make your first 90 days a success—and set a solid foundation for long-term success.
Self-check:
1) What is one small win I can accomplish right away?
2) What key relationship can I build with a one-on-one meeting this week?
3) What are three goals I have for my first 90 days in this position?
