The First 100 Days Critical Path: Ten Success Strategies
Posted by Robert Hargrove
The first 100 days are high stakes for the new leader and organization, and people need help!
The first 100 days can be like walking through a jungle. After studying many executive transitions and writing a book on the subject, I have come up with ten critical success strategies that, taken as a whole, represent a critical path. This is the roadmap that we use in coaching executives through their first 100 days.
1. Find an executive onboarding coach. Why get lost in the jungle when there is a guide who can show you the critical path?
2. Prepare for the journey before you start: a) your TPOV as a leader, b) getting clear on your going-in mandate, c) do your due diligence, d) get a head start on establishing key relationships.
3. Make a powerful first impression. Have a story ready for Day One. Seal your leadership and have an impact by making decisions and taking action in the first 72 hours.
4. Match your leadership transition style to the business context, culture, and politics. Spend time understanding the matrix of the business situation, cultural norms, and political chessboard.
5. Don’t walk in with a strategy, walk in ready to lead a strategic process. First assess your situation with 3 c’s: 1) company, 2) competition, 3) customer needs. Next: Ask what’s your: 1) strategy, 2) ‘A’ level priorities, 3) early wins?
6. Create a 100 Day Plan. What’s my impossible future or vision? Things I will absolutely do in my first 30 days (secure early wins), second 30 days (‘A’ level priorities), third 30 days (long term vision).
7. Manage your message; go public with your program. Get your TPOV out there with every breath you take. “This is who I am as a leader. This is how we are going to win in this business.” Use every platform of communication—town halls, email, social media, etc.
8. Start building an ‘A’ team; Embed your team with a burning imperative. Decide to have a team of ‘A’ players. Be prepared to make tough people decisions. Embed your team with a burning imperative.
9. Secure early wins that build personal credibility. It’s pivotally important to secure early wins that build personal credibility and build momentum. Early wins lay the foundation for larger goals and can be used to signal desired changes in culture and behavior.
10. Build coalitions that create openings for larger change. Establish key relationships with power brokers. Build coalitions by aligning your goals to theirs. Focus on interests, not positions.