The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

Last updated: Aug 19, 2023

Summary of The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins is a comprehensive guide for leaders who are transitioning into new roles or organizations. The book provides a framework and actionable strategies to help leaders navigate the critical first 90 days of their tenure and set themselves up for success.

Watkins emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and challenges of the new role or organization. He suggests conducting a thorough assessment of the situation, including analyzing the business, culture, team dynamics, and key stakeholders. This assessment helps leaders identify potential pitfalls and opportunities for quick wins.

Once leaders have a clear understanding of the situation, Watkins advises them to develop a detailed plan for their first 90 days. This plan should outline the key objectives, priorities, and milestones that need to be achieved. It should also include strategies for building relationships, gaining credibility, and aligning with the organization's goals.

Watkins highlights the significance of building a strong team during the transition period. He suggests assessing the existing team members, identifying any skill gaps, and making necessary changes to ensure the team is aligned with the leader's vision. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of effective communication and setting clear expectations with the team.

The book also addresses the challenges of managing stakeholders during the transition. Watkins advises leaders to identify key stakeholders, understand their interests and influence, and develop strategies for building relationships and managing expectations. He provides guidance on how to navigate political dynamics and build a coalition of support.

Throughout the book, Watkins emphasizes the importance of learning and adapting quickly. He encourages leaders to seek feedback, learn from mistakes, and continuously improve their performance. He also provides strategies for managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and delegating responsibilities.

In conclusion, The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins is a comprehensive guide that provides leaders with a roadmap for success during their transition period. By understanding the context, developing a detailed plan, building a strong team, managing stakeholders, and continuously learning, leaders can set themselves up for long-term success in their new roles or organizations.

1. The Importance of a Strong Start

In "The First 90 Days," Michael D. Watkins emphasizes the significance of making a strong start in a new role or organization. He argues that the first few months are crucial for establishing credibility, building relationships, and setting the stage for future success. Watkins suggests that leaders should focus on three key areas during this period: learning, accelerating, and securing early wins.

Learning involves understanding the organization's culture, strategy, and key stakeholders. By immersing oneself in the new environment and actively seeking feedback, leaders can quickly gain insights and identify areas for improvement. Accelerating refers to taking decisive actions to address critical issues and drive change. This requires prioritizing tasks, aligning resources, and communicating a clear vision. Lastly, securing early wins helps build momentum and credibility. By delivering tangible results early on, leaders can gain the trust and support of their team and superiors.

2. The Importance of Building Relationships

Watkins highlights the importance of building strong relationships with key stakeholders during the first 90 days. He argues that leaders cannot succeed in isolation and need the support and cooperation of others to achieve their goals. Watkins suggests that leaders should identify and prioritize key relationships, both within and outside the organization.

Internally, leaders should focus on building relationships with their team, peers, and superiors. By establishing trust, open communication, and collaboration, leaders can create a positive work environment and foster a sense of shared purpose. Externally, leaders should seek to build relationships with external partners, customers, and industry influencers. These relationships can provide valuable insights, resources, and support. Watkins advises leaders to invest time and effort in understanding others' perspectives, needs, and motivations to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships.

3. The Importance of Creating a Clear Vision

According to Watkins, leaders must create a clear vision and communicate it effectively to inspire and align their team. A clear vision provides a sense of direction, purpose, and motivation for the organization. Watkins suggests that leaders should articulate their vision in a compelling and concise manner, using language that resonates with their audience.

Leaders should also ensure that their vision is aligned with the organization's strategy and goals. By linking their vision to the broader objectives of the organization, leaders can gain support and resources to turn their vision into reality. Watkins emphasizes the importance of regularly communicating the vision and reinforcing it through actions and decisions. By consistently demonstrating their commitment to the vision, leaders can inspire and motivate their team to achieve extraordinary results.

4. The Importance of Managing Transitions

Watkins argues that leaders must effectively manage transitions to navigate the challenges and complexities of a new role or organization. He identifies four types of transitions: promotion, joining a new organization, taking on a new role within the same organization, and leading a significant organizational change.

Each transition requires a different approach and set of skills. Watkins suggests that leaders should diagnose the situation, identify the key challenges and opportunities, and develop a tailored transition plan. This plan should include strategies for learning, building relationships, and delivering results. By proactively managing transitions, leaders can minimize disruptions, accelerate their impact, and increase their chances of success.

5. The Importance of Balancing Confidence and Humility

Watkins emphasizes the importance of balancing confidence and humility as a leader. While confidence is necessary to inspire and lead others, humility is essential for learning, growth, and building strong relationships. Watkins suggests that leaders should approach their new role with a beginner's mindset, acknowledging that they have much to learn.

Leaders should seek feedback, ask questions, and actively listen to others' perspectives. By demonstrating humility, leaders can create a culture of continuous learning and improvement. At the same time, leaders should also project confidence and conviction in their decisions and actions. This helps inspire trust and instill confidence in their team and stakeholders. By striking the right balance between confidence and humility, leaders can effectively navigate the challenges of their new role and gain the respect and support of others.

6. The Importance of Prioritization and Focus

Watkins emphasizes the importance of prioritization and focus in the first 90 days. Leaders often face a multitude of tasks, responsibilities, and expectations, which can be overwhelming. Watkins suggests that leaders should prioritize their efforts based on the potential impact and urgency of each task.

By focusing on a few key priorities, leaders can allocate their time and resources effectively and make significant progress. Watkins advises leaders to resist the temptation to take on too much and instead focus on a few critical areas where they can make a meaningful difference. This requires discipline, clarity of purpose, and the ability to delegate and empower others. By prioritizing and focusing their efforts, leaders can achieve early wins, build momentum, and set the stage for long-term success.

7. The Importance of Building a Support Network

Watkins highlights the importance of building a support network during the first 90 days. Leaders often face challenges, uncertainties, and setbacks, and having a strong support network can provide guidance, advice, and emotional support.

Watkins suggests that leaders should proactively seek mentors, coaches, and advisors who can provide valuable insights and perspectives. These individuals can offer guidance based on their own experiences and help leaders navigate the complexities of their new role. Additionally, leaders should also build relationships with peers and colleagues who can serve as sounding boards and provide support. By building a diverse and robust support network, leaders can tap into a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and support to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

8. The Importance of Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Watkins emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation as a leader. The first 90 days are a critical period for learning, experimenting, and adapting to the new environment. Watkins suggests that leaders should adopt a growth mindset and embrace new challenges and opportunities.

Leaders should seek feedback, reflect on their experiences, and continuously improve their skills and knowledge. By being open to new ideas, perspectives, and feedback, leaders can adapt their approach and make necessary adjustments to achieve their goals. Watkins also highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks and obstacles. By learning from failures and setbacks, leaders can become more resilient and better equipped to navigate future challenges.