The First 90 Days: A Roadmap for New Leaders to Thrive

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Tesa Vitelj, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

Stepping into a leadership role can be both exciting and overwhelming. The first 90 days for new leaders are crucial for building a foundation that will support long-term success. This period sets the tone for your leadership style, your team dynamics, and the results you’ll deliver. By focusing on key actions during this critical phase, you can lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and high performance. This roadmap for new leaders will help you thrive and create lasting impact in those important early days.
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1. Build Trust Through Active Listening

In your first few weeks, it’s essential to build trust with your team and stakeholders. Start by listening more than you speak. Meet with each team member individually, ask about their experiences, and understand their goals and challenges. Show genuine interest in their input, and let them know you’re there to support them.

Go a step further by getting to know your team members on a personal level. Do they have a spouse, kids, or a pet? What are their names or ages? Are they coffee or tea lovers? What is their favorite hobby, sport, or book? I recommend preparing a folder for each team member with a picture and these personal details, along with business-related notes. This will help you remember important information about your employees and strengthen future interactions. Of course, sharing your own personal details will create a deeper connection and show that you are human too. It’s a misconception that leaders must keep formal distance from their subordinates—those days are gone. The more you know about each other, the stronger your bond will be.

Actionable Tip: Schedule one-on-one meetings with all key team members within your first 30 days. Ask open-ended questions like “What’s working well?” and “What challenges do you see?” and follow up by getting to know their personal stories.
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2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals

Within the first 90 days, focus on setting clear, realistic goals. These should align with both organizational objectives and team strengths. Having specific, measurable goals gives your team a sense of direction and helps establish you as a goal-oriented leader. Avoid overcommitting during this time—focus on a few key objectives that will deliver meaningful results.

Actionable Tip: Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework to set 1-3 short-term goals for your team. Communicate these goals clearly and ensure your team understands their individual roles in achieving them.
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3. Establish Your Leadership Style

Your leadership style will define how your team perceives you and interacts with you. Take time in the first 90 days to assess what leadership style fits your team’s needs and your own strengths. Are you more hands-on, or do you prefer to delegate? Are you focused on fostering creativity, or is efficiency your top priority? This is also the time to find your voice as a leader—whether that’s motivating through inspiration, setting high standards, or leading with empathy.

Actionable Tip: Reflect on past leaders who have influenced you. What qualities did they exhibit that you admired? How can you incorporate those into your own leadership approach?
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4. Foster a Positive Team Culture

Creating a healthy, collaborative team culture is essential in the first 90 days. How your team interacts with you and each other can influence performance, morale, and engagement. Encourage open communication, foster teamwork, and celebrate early wins. As you shape the team culture, be mindful of how you handle challenges. Your responses will set the tone for how your team approaches obstacles moving forward.

Actionable Tip: Start by acknowledging small victories early on. This reinforces a positive environment and encourages your team to continue striving for success. For deeper insights into building a strong team, I recommend reading Patrick Lencioni’s book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
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5. Learn and Adapt

The first 90 days are a learning period for you as much as they are for your team. Be open to feedback and ready to adapt your approach. Every team is different, and your initial plans might need adjustment. Showing flexibility and a willingness to learn demonstrates humility and a growth mindset, which can further strengthen your team’s trust in you.

Actionable Tip: Ask for feedback from your team and peers within your first 60 days. I suggest using the Keep, Start, Stop exercise—ask your team what behaviors or practices you should keep, what new things you should start doing, and what things they think you should stop. Reflect on how you can adapt your approach based on their input.
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6. Get a Coach

Leadership can be a lonely place, especially in the first 90 days. It often comes with a lack of accountability and objective guidance. Having a coach during this critical phase can be invaluable. A coach provides an external perspective, holds you accountable for your goals, and helps you navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of leadership. They can offer personalized feedback and help you build the skills necessary for long-term success.

Actionable Tip: Consider hiring a coach to provide ongoing support and feedback. A coach can help you maintain focus, improve your leadership skills, and ensure you stay on track with your goals.
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Conclusion
The first 90 days for new leaders are an opportunity to build trust, set direction, and establish your leadership identity. By listening actively, setting clear goals, fostering a positive team culture, remaining adaptable, and seeking the support of a coach, you’ll set a solid foundation for long-term success. Remember, this roadmap for new leaders is just the beginning of your leadership journey, but with the right guidance, you’ll thrive in those critical first months and beyond.