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QUOTABLE QUOTES

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Every new leadership job, however profound or mundane it seems, eventually reveals opportunities to be a great leader.

FDR's first 100 days were "only the start of a process that ended by transforming American society." -Arthur Schlesinger

"This is a company with soul." -Indra Nooyi on becoming CEO of PepsiCo

"Stop acting like Atlas. Get the world off your shoulders." -Bill George, Navigating the Storm

"For your first 100 days, it pays to plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark."

"Embrace the enemy rather than try to kill or avoid them."

"My advice is, don't peak too early." -George W. Bush at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on his First 100 Days, showing off his first-grade report card in which he received all A's.

"Find a coach." John Doerr, legendary money man to Eric Schmidt when he became CEO of Google

The First 100 Days Critical Path: Ten Success Strategies

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.

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critical path 1Success Strategy 1. Find an executive onboarding coach.

Why get lost in the jungle when there is a guide who can show you the critical path and be a thinking partner along the way?

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critical path 2Success Strategy 2. Prepare for the journey before you start.

Spend sufficient time: a) Distinguishing your TPOV as a leader, b) Getting clear on your going in mandate, c) Doing your due diligence, d) Getting a head start on establishing key relationships.

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critical path 3Success Strategy 3. Make a powerful first impression.

Have a story ready for Day One. Seal your leadership and have an impact by making decisions and take action in the first 72 hours.

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critical path 4Success Strategy 4. Match your leadership transition style to the business context, culture, and politics.

Spend the time to understand the matrix of the business situation, cultural norms, and political chessboard.

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critical path 5Success Strategy 5. Don’t walk in with a strategy, walk in ready to lead a strategic process.

First assess your situation with the 3 c’s: 1) company, 2) competition, 3) customer needs. Next ask: What’s my: 1) strategy, 2) ‘A’ level priorities, 3) early wins.

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critical path 6Success Strategy 6. Create a 100 Day Plan.

Start with asking: What’s my impossible future or vision? Then distinguish those things you will absolutely do in your first 30 days (secure early wins), second 30 days (‘A’ level priorities), and third 30 days (long term vision).

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critical path 7Success Strategy 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, and so on.

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critical path 8Success Strategy 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.

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critical path 9Success Strategy 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.

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critical path 10Success Strategy 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..

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How have things gone for you in your first 100 days? Take the First 100 Days Readiness Test to see how well you have done or how ready you are to begin your new job.