The First 90 Days

Stepping into a new leadership role is like embarking on a journey. ?It's an exciting opportunity filled with possibilities, but without a roadmap, even the most talented leaders can find themselves lost in the wilderness. ?This is where the 90-day plan comes into play, serving as the blueprint for navigating the initial phase of leadership. ?

Here’s why having a 90-day plan before diving into a new leadership role is crucial.

Clarity of Vision: A 90-day plan forces leaders to articulate their vision and goals for the team or organisation. ?It provides a clear roadmap of where they want to take the team in the short term, aligning everyone's efforts towards a common purpose. ?This clarity ensures that leaders hit the ground running and waste no time in making meaningful contributions.

Understanding the Landscape: Every organization has its unique culture, dynamics, and challenges. ?A well-structured 90-day plan involves conducting thorough assessments of the current state of affairs. ?This includes understanding the organisational structure, assessing team dynamics, identifying key stakeholders, and evaluating existing processes and systems. Armed with this knowledge, leaders can make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Building Relationships: Successful leadership is not just about authority; it's about influence and collaboration. ?During the first 90 days, establishing strong relationships with team members, peers, superiors, and other stakeholders is paramount. ?A 90-day plan typically includes initiatives aimed at fostering these relationships, such as one-on-one meetings, team-building activities, and networking events. ?These early connections lay the foundation for effective communication and teamwork in the long run.

Quick Wins and Momentum: The initial days in a new leadership role set the tone for the future.? By identifying quick wins—small, achievable goals that deliver tangible results—leaders can generate momentum and build credibility among team members and stakeholders. These early victories not only boost morale but also demonstrate the leader's competence and effectiveness.

Adaptability and Agility: In today's fast-paced business environment, adaptability is key to success. ?A 90-day plan provides a structured framework for leaders to adapt and pivot as needed. ?It allows them to respond quickly to unexpected challenges and changing priorities without losing sight of their overarching goals. ?This flexibility is essential for navigating uncertain terrain and driving meaningful progress.

In conclusion, a 90-day plan is not just a formality; it's a strategic imperative for new leaders. It lays the groundwork for success by providing clarity of vision, understanding of the landscape, relationship-building opportunities, momentum through quick wins, and adaptability in the face of change. ?By investing time and effort in crafting a thoughtful 90-day plan, leaders can set themselves up for success and make a lasting impact from day one.

About the Author

Les is a coach, consultant, and facilitator who works with growth-oriented MDs and CEOs of businesses in “scale-up”.? He is also a director of 20-20 Management which is a performance improvement company that specialises in leadership development and growth.?

Les has a proven track record of helping clients deliver successful results by addressing vision and strategy, organisation structure, culture, and performance, and managing change to create more accountable, affordable, and agile businesses.

Contact Les to share an experience, thought, or idea or if you have questions about how to improve leadership and business performance.