In our blog on Monday, we discussed external recruiting. Being hired from outside the organization has its own set of challenges. Specifically, you are coming into an organization that has a set culture, a set way of doing things, a set value system and alliances whose purpose is often to maintain the status quo. Yet, you were hired to improve the organization. How do you this? You start by thinking through and managing your transition into the organization.
Michael D. Watkins in his book, The First 90 Days, offers the following ten strategies for successfully transitioning into your new role.
1. Promote yourself
a. You need to mentally break from your old job and role and accept and extend yourself in your new role
2. Accelerate your learning curve
a. Invest in learning and not just the technical side of your job, also spend time learning the culture and politics
3. Match strategy to the situation
a. There is no one strategy that fits all situations. Are you going into a start-up, turnaround, realignment or sustaining success situation?
4. Secure early wins
a. Get started quickly by picking something that will result in a quick win for you.
5. Negotiate success
a. It is important to have a productive working relationship with your boss, to define expectations and to discuss how to work together productively
6. Achieve alignment
a. It’s important to align strategy, structure, systems, skills and culture and to identify the root cause of problems.
7. Build your team
a. Assess the current team members based on the job that needs doing and build your team
8. Create coalitions
a. Authority alone will not guarantee success, you need to learn how to influence those from whom you need support
9. Keep your balance
a. You need to create and enforce personal discipline and create a network of advisors
10. Expedite everyone
a. Why it’s important to accelerate team development, develop high potential leaders, and strengthen succession planning
Successfully transitioning into your new role is critical for long-term success. Becoming successful in that role is a transition, and that takes time and thoughtful action. And remember, the first strategy on the list – promote yourself. If you fail to, no one else will either.
Copyright 2009 Kubica & LaForest
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