Proving Yourself on Your New Job

This post is the beginning of a series of posts summarizing the book The first 90 days: Critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels by Michael Watkins.

Every new job, new friendship, or any other new interpersonal relationship is graced with a first impression and honeymoon term. During this term, everyone is blissful. However, actions and activities during this period determine your future relationship. This is a chance to start fresh and to make needed changes in yourself and an organization. There are risks and rewards. The idea is to get past this period converting value consumed into value created by your presence.

Michael Watkins presents in his book, The First 90 Days, five (5) prepositions that underpin his approach to success in a new job. They are:

1. The cause of success results from a transitional balance between the situational opportunities and pitfalls and the individual’s strengths and vulnerabilities.
2. There are systematic methods available to people in leadership roles to lessen risks and reach the transition point swifter converting value consumed into value created.
3. The overarching goal is to build momentum by creating virtuous cycles that build credibility by avoiding vicious cycles that damage credibility.
4. The transitions periods are crucibles for leadership development and should be managed accordingly.
5. Adoption of a standard framework for accelerating transitions can yield big returns to organizations.

With his propositions understood, his plan then hinges on a 10 step road map for accelerating success and Proving Yourself on Your New Job

The steps are:

 01. Promote Yourself
 02. Accelerate Your Learning
 03. Match Strategy to Situation
 04. Securing Early Wins
 05. Negotiate Success
 06. Achieve Alignment
 07. Build Your Team
 08. Create Coalitions
 09. Keep Your Balance
 10. Expedite Everyone

I will explore in the next several blogs postings Proving Yourself on Your New Job. Should you have any comments or questions please feel free to post or email me; James.Bogden@gmail.com.

References:

Watkins, M. (2003) The first 90 days: Critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels. Harvard Business School Press. Boston, Ma.