Tips for Mastering the First 90 Days in a New Leadership Role was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Starting a new leadership role can be terrifying and exciting at the same time. It’s a huge opportunity since you’ve worked hard to earn the position.
However, all eyes are on you, and your team may be wondering what kind of leader you’ll be. Your boss may also want to see results, and you might wonder if you’re going to succeed.
The first 90 days are critical for any leadership role. If you find your footing early, you won’t have to struggle in the long run.
Here are some tips to help you master the first 90 days.
👉 Slow Down Before Picking Up Your Pace
When you start a new job, it’s tempting to make significant changes right away because you want to prove yourself. However, moving too quickly can backfire and negatively impact your professional reputation.
If you enter a new role and start fixing everything, people may see you as reckless or arrogant. They might also think you’re out of touch with reality.
Use your first 90 days to listen, learn, and observe. Ask questions before offering answers. Attend meetings and observe how other leaders make decisions. Besides, pay attention to how they communicate with their teams. You’ll get farther if you understand the terrain before making any moves.
👉 Balance Listening With Action
Listening to your team shows you’re capable of leading and caring about other people’s opinions. If you only listen without acting, people may wonder if you’re indecisive. On the other hand, if you only act, without asking, other employees might think you don’t care about their input.
Balance the two by taking time to listen. Then, follow up with actions to show you understood what you heard. You can make one or two changes based on your team’s feedback. Such a rhythm will build trust and demonstrate your ability to make informed decisions.
If, for example, several team members mention they get too many email updates, you can try setting up a weekly summary instead. It will show you listened and found a practical solution to make their work easier.
👉 Learn the Culture
Every organization has two sides. The official structure is all about hierarchy charts and policies, while the unofficial one includes inside jokes and traditions.
Organizational culture shapes how other leaders and employees act. It influences how fast work moves and how employees resolve conflicts. It may also affect how others work with you as a new leader.
Your first 90 days are the perfect time to absorb the culture. Notice how people talk to each other. Do they communicate via email, text, or in person? Do meetings start on time or run late, and who has the most influence?
If you respect the organizational culture, your coworkers will trust you faster. If you ignore it, you might find it harder to succeed in your new role due to resistance.
👉 Build Solid Relationships Early
Your success as a new leader will hinge on the people around you. Build solid relationships in the first 90 days by starting with your direct team. Schedule one-on-one meetings with each member and ask about:
- Their career goals and how you can help them achieve them
- The frustrations they face in their everyday job
- Any ideas they may have to improve processes and workflow
Having these early conversations will give you more insight into what’s working and what you may need to fix.
Employees may, for example, say the constant delays in approvals slow their work. Noting such frustration gives you a clear area for improvement. It also shows employees that you value their input.
After talking to your team, reach out to peers in other departments. Build rapport with stakeholders and partners, and maintain regular connections with your supervisor.
Taking these steps will help you earn respect and trust. Additionally, it ensures you have support when you need to push through a tough decision.
👉 Clarify Expectations With Your Boss
One of the biggest mistakes new leaders make is assuming they know what their boss wants. Assumptions then create gaps, causing frustrations for both parties.
Instead of just relying on your job description to know what your boss expects from you, ask. Some great questions include:
- What does success look like in my first 90 days?
- What are the most critical priorities for the team right now?
- How do you prefer to receive updates: via email, quick check-ins, or formal reports?
- Are there any unspoken rules or norms I should be aware of?
Asking these questions early gives you direction and helps you thrive. It shows your boss you’re intentional about meeting expectations the right way.
👉 Find Quick Wins
While you shouldn’t rush into making changes, you also shouldn’t wait too long to show progress. A quick win can be any meaningful improvement that other employees will notice right away. Good examples are:
- Fixing a process that wastes time
- Improving transparency through better communication
- Responding faster to common requests or questions
- Cleaning up a confusing workflow or document
- Providing clearer goals
Choose something that many employees will notice and ensure it’s achievable. Once employees see you taking action on an issue they care about, you’ll earn trust quickly. Quick wins also help you build momentum and make a great first impression with your leadership.
👉 Communicate Clearly and Often
When employees or your boss don’t know what’s happening, they’ll come up with their own narratives, which are rarely positive.
Establish a strong rapport and succeed in your role by enhancing your communication skills. Share what you’re learning and update your team on your progress. Be transparent about what you don’t know yet, especially with your boss.
When you keep your boss and peers in the loop, you’ll appear trustworthy and organized. It also shows you’re confident even if you’re still figuring things out behind the scenes.
Take Action to Own Your First 90 Days
The first 90 days in a new leadership role set the stage for your long-term success. Slow down to listen, learn, and understand the culture. Find meaningful quick wins, and communicate clearly to build solid relationships with your team and peers.
By being approachable and proactive, you’ll earn trust and build momentum. Further, you’ll establish yourself as a capable leader and make the rest of your journey smoother.
