As we approach a new year, many of us are thinking about how to reset, whether it’s transitioning into a new role or refreshing our approach within an existing business. For me, I’m preparing for a fresh start in 2025, stepping into a new role, and revisiting some core principles that have guided me in my past transitions. These principles are inspired by The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins, a book that has become my go-to for navigating the first three months in a new position. I’ve applied these insights countless times, and I find they’re not just valuable for onboarding into a new company but also helpful when you’re resetting your mindset in a familiar role.
Transitioning into a new business or reshaping the direction of an existing one can be daunting. However, with a clear, strategic approach, it is possible to accelerate the process and create meaningful change. The first step is always setting yourself up for success—mentally and strategically.
Shifting Your Mindset
The first piece of advice I can offer when starting fresh in any business is to get into the right mindset. When stepping into a new role, it’s easy to rely on past experiences, but it’s important to leave behind “when I was at X” or “in my former life…” narratives. This approach can hinder your ability to serve the company in the way it needs at the moment.
When I enter a new environment, I aim to listen more than I speak. You’re there to serve the business and teams, and that means you need to appreciate the work that has been done up to this point and respect the culture that’s in place. Transitioning from the outside gives you a unique advantage—without insider information, you’re able to form an impression based on what you see and hear, much like any consumer would. This fresh perspective is incredibly valuable in understanding the real dynamics of the business.
Building trust and collaboration takes time, especially when you’re coming in from a new organization, so adopting a mindset of service is crucial. Taking the time to understand, appreciate, and engage with the team will allow you to gain the insights necessary to drive the business forward.
Accelerating Your Learning
In the early stages of any transition, you must accelerate your learning. Michael Watkins emphasizes this point in his book, and I couldn’t agree more. The faster you can get up to speed, the more beneficial it will be for the organization as a whole. During my initial weeks, I always dive deep into the P&L financials to look for any performance indicators that can inform my strategy. I also review any brand health studies, key account feedback, and store visits. Engaging with colleagues early on about what’s already working (and what isn’t) helps build a foundational understanding of the business.
It’s essential to understand not just the technical aspects but also the cultural and political dynamics that can impact you and the team’s success. Strategic conversations with key stakeholders are invaluable, and I’ve found that these initial discussions help me get the lay of the land. Whether you’re stepping into a startup or reshaping an established company, or even to hit the reset button with tenured colleagues, building this understanding quickly will position you to make better decisions and set up a successful strategy.
Matching Strategy to Situation
One of the most valuable insights from The First 90 Days is understanding how to match your strategy to the situation you’re in. This is where Watkins categorizes business environments into four types: startup, turnaround, realignment, and sustaining success. Knowing where your company is in its lifecycle will help you shape your approach. For instance, a turnaround requires a different focus than a company that is in a growth phase.
This framework has been a guiding principle for me. It acts as a “north star” when determining where to focus efforts. Are we in need of a dramatic shift or simply a few tweaks to our current strategy? Understanding this from the outset will save you time and energy in your decision-making process.
Aligning Expectations and Defining Success
Another key piece of the onboarding process is ensuring alignment between you and your boss. This alignment is essential, and it helps prevent misunderstandings as you move forward. I always take the time to clarify expectations, agree on goals, deliverables, and timelines. Having a strong working relationship with clear communication is fundamental for everyone’s success.
During the first 30, 60, and 90 days, I like to establish clear markers of progress. Setting up performance dashboards can help both you and your boss visualize where things are heading. This alignment ensures that everyone is on the same page and that you’re making meaningful progress.
Securing Early Wins
When entering a new business or resetting an existing one, securing early wins is essential. Achieving visible results early on helps build credibility and momentum, not just for yourself but for the team as well. Early successes give people confidence in your leadership and foster a sense of shared accomplishment. These wins don’t always have to be massive—sometimes it’s the smaller, strategic actions that can have the most impact.
One of the best ways to identify quick wins is to look at areas where you can align your strategy with broader business goals. This alignment is crucial for ensuring that you’re not only adding value but doing so in a way that resonates with key stakeholders.
Building and Nurturing Relationships
Finally, no transition is complete without building strong relationships. It’s important to assess your team’s strengths and opportunities and make necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with organizational goals. But beyond internal team dynamics, cultivating alliances with key stakeholders across the company is just as crucial. These relationships will help you navigate the political landscape, secure resources, and build the support you need for your initiatives.
In every transition, whether you’re starting fresh or resetting an existing business, it’s the relationships you build that will ultimately help you succeed and drive business. These relationships are the bedrock upon which you’ll build your influence and your legacy.
Wrapping It Up
Starting fresh or resetting your approach to an existing business can be overwhelming, but with the right mindset and strategy, it’s possible to make a lasting impact. By accelerating your learning, aligning expectations, securing early wins, and building strong relationships, you can set yourself, your team and the company—up for long-term success. As I prepare for my next transition in 2025, I’m excited to apply these principles again and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.