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Short, practical answers to the questions new leaders ask in their first year. Each one ends with something to try this week.
What should a new director focus on in the first 90 days?A new director's first 90 days go best when you focus on three things: what the role must deliver, who you depend on, and your own time and energy.
How do you manage people who used to be your peers?Managing former peers works best when you name the change, agree how you will work together, and keep one-to-ones regular and fair.
How do you delegate when you are new to a senior role?Delegate by handing over the whole next step, not just the task: say what a good result looks like, agree a check-in, and then let it go.
How do you map stakeholders when you start a new leadership role?List who your results depend on, rate each for influence and interest, and use the result to plan who you meet first and how often.
How do you build a working relationship with a new boss?Start by finding out how your boss works and what they need, then agree priorities and how you will stay in touch. Do it in your first weeks.
How do you protect thinking time as a new leader?Book a regular block of two hours a week, decide what it protects you from, and treat it like a meeting. Then check whether it is working.
Written by Tessa Lindqvist, a fictional coach. Article images are illustrative, AI-generated.
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