3 Focus Areas for First 90 Days on a Job

Career transitions are exciting times for all of us. Each time we make a career transition there is an opportunity to recreate ourselves, grow professionally and creating larger impact on the organization and the customers.

Transitions can also be tricky and scary - because each organization has a different cultural fabric and getting acclimatized to the new culture is pivotal for a successful transition.

The book “First 90 Days” by Michael Watkins is a classic used globally for career transitions, especially for leaders. As a practitioner and a coach, I have used the strategies in the book for integrating new managers and leaders into organizations.

In this article, I will attempt to classify the strategies mentioned in the book into few "focus areas" so that it is relevant for integration of anyone joining an organization, irrespective of the level they are joining at.

Also, I have an "Ode to the First 90 days", which I will mention later in this article. Using this ode i will express my gratitude for this wonderful wisdom on career and leadership transitions.

Managing oneself is a theme ubiquitous for the entire career span (if interested read the HBR Classic of Peter Drucker of same name). Managing oneself becomes even more accentuated and important during transitions.

I like the imagery of the bike racer participating in a new race as it is a great metaphor to explain this approach. Transition is all about being successful and its about pace in which one settles into the new role in a new organization. Thus, in sporting parlance it is about winning and to win you need speed.

Of the 10 strategies from the book, according to my experience the following strategies fall under the category of "Managing Oneself":

1. Promote yourself - put the past behind and focus on the skills and opportunity needed to be successful in the new environment.
2. Accelerate your learning - have an open mind and learn everything about the organization without prejudice
3. Keep your balance - as you start accelerating in the role strike balance with personal priorities and focus areas also. Never lose sight of bigger picture of your life.

As we continue to focus on "Managing Self", we need to move to the second focus area of "Contextual Alignment" of the new organization and its realities.

We all heard of the phrase "Map is not the Territory". It is so relevant with respect to transitions. In the exploration and interviewing phase, you might have learnt a lot about the organization and have an opinion of how things happen there. Yet, remember, the map outlines how a region looks like but it is only when you see the terrain that you truly experience the reality.

Going back to the metaphor of a bike racer, it is imperative that you scout, learn and understand the terrain before you are ready to accelerate your pace and succeed - knowing the terrain is key to success.

In an organizational perspective, this can be called "Contextual Alignment". It is important to understand, internalize and align to culture, vision, goals, ways of working, written and unwritten rules of engagement of an organization.

From the book, the following strategies can be aligned to this focus are of Contextual Alignment:

1. Match Strategy to Situation - it is important to do a SWOT analysis of the setup of the team, function and organization and then plan your action. Begin with diagnosing the strengths and challenges.
2. Secure Early Wins - it is easy to secure early wins (as soon as possible) to win credibility. Also, it is important to see if these wins are strategic and priority to the organization too, thus contextual learning is critical
3. Achieve Alignment - having a keen eye to see if there is genuine alignment across all aspects of the organization is important and what can you do to bring more of such alignment?

With self-awareness and contextual learning you are optimally set for success, you just need to focus on "taking people along with you" through "influencing stakeholders".

After finding internal and external alignment, the next step is to "accelerate" the pace and move towards success. It is critical that we are ready to influence and mobilize others around us (peers, team members, managers, leaders, etc.).

Going back to the metaphor of bike racing - this is your time to lead your team by motivating, influencing and mobilizing them for collective success.

From the book, the strategies which align to this focus area are:

1. Negotiate Success - influencing needs to begin with your manager. It is important that both of you have same definition of "success" and you have all the resources you need to be successful
2. Build your team - create a strong foundation by hiring and organizing team with right expertise and cultural fitment
3. Create Coalitions - expand your influence to your network within the organization. Identify common goals and alignment to find win-win situations
4. Expedite Everyone - once all other aspects are set, its time to accelerate not just individually but collectively as a team for greater success. Also mentor and coach to help others who will transition after you

Finally, I would like to wrap up by sharing this "Ode to First 90 Days".

An Ode to First 90 Days - by Anil Santhapuri, 13th September 2012

As the clock ticks and tocks, here I rest my case,

This is my story of living the transition of first 90 days,

There is so much to be in awe, look, feel and see,

Incessant focus and accelerating your learning, is the key,

Transitions are periods of opportunity, ready to be capitalized,

Also, periods of acute vulnerability, if you are not acclimatized,

Our contribution is zilch, till we reach the point breakeven,

Building credibility and confidence, by following the 10 steps proven,

Promote yourself, in ways subtle and sublime,

Accelerate your learning, to understand the local clime,

Assimilate learning, by matching strategy to situation,

Focus on securing early wins, keeping realities in consideration,

Make your manager a key partner and negotiate success,

It is critical to achieve alignment, and stop yourself from digress,

Build your team, aligned to strengths and aspirations,

Enhance your circle of influence, by creating coalitions,

Keep your balance with an eye on work, life and fun,

Blending as one with the team, you can expedite everyone,

Finishing the first 90 days, I feel successful in transition,

Looking into the future, it is time for complete immersion.

It would be great to hear from you on how to applied these strategies for successful transitions throughout your career.

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If you have enjoyed reading this blog, here are links to my earlier blogs. Do check them out:

1.      3 Tips for pursuing Excellence through Deliberate Practice

2.   5 Traits of Exceptional Managers and Leaders      

3.   3 Reminders for Work and Character Development

4.   5 Leadership Lessons from Rumi’s Poetry

5.   The Supreme Art of Being a Serving Leader

6.   I am a Leader and a Coach who ..

7.   3 Gifts to share with the next generation

8.   Four Lessons of Emotional Intelligence from “The Hulk”

9.   Crossing the Chasm of resistance during Change

10.                      I met Nelson Mandela Today