The New Leaders 100–Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build or Merge Your Team, and Get Immediate Results

PRAISE FOR

THE NEW LEADER′S 100–DAY ACTION PLAN

"The New Leader′s 100–Day Action Plan offers practical tools and techniques for new leaders to follow. Leaders who use this book can expect impressive business and culture–building results."
Joe Bonito, SVP, Bank of America (formerly Coach and Pfizer)

"I have worked with PrimeGenesis twice in the last 24 months, first as a private equity investor and most recently as a first–time leader of a company. In both cases, their process and facilitation created nearly immediate alignment around our strategy and tactics that dramatically accelerated value creation. We accomplished nearly a year of positive change within a month."
Ryan Heckman, Private Equity Investor

"In a hypercompetitive environment, it′s imperative that senior leaders particularly CEOs have as many tools as possible at their disposal. The New Leader′s 100–Day Action Plan provides a critical advantage to executives in identifying objectives, stakeholders, and messaging points as they transition into new leadership roles. The PrimeGenesis methodology is a key component of a successful onboarding toolkit."
Harry Somerdyk, Director, Talent Management & Executive Recruitment, RFE Investment Partners (Private Equity)

"Their program helps assure success through accelerated learning, and helps the leader avoid common pitfalls and barriers that often derail new leaders. First impressions are lasting. PrimeGenesis will ensure that your new leaders are received positively on day one and hit the ground running."
Gretchen Crist, SVP, Human Resources, Sun Products (after Playtex)

"I can recommend PrimeGenesis and this book without reservation to help any senior leader moving into a complex new role, including promotions and new hires, when they cannot afford to fail."
Robert Rigby–Hall, former SVP, Human Resources, LexisNexis

Acknowledgments ix

Executive Summary xi

CHAPTER 1 Position Yourself for Success: Get the Job. Make Sure It Is Right for You. Avoid Common Land Mines. 1

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

1.1 BRAVE Culture Assessment/Preference 23

1.2 Risk Assessment 25

1.3 5Cs Situation Analysis 27

1.4 SWOT 29

CHAPTER 2 Leverage the Fuzzy Front End: Jump–Start Relationships. Listen, Learn, and Plan Before Day One. 31

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

2.1 100–Day Plan Worksheet 54

2.2 Context Assessment 57

2.3 ACES Context/Culture Map 59

2.4 Communication Planning 60

2.5 Onboarding Conversation Framework 62

2.6 Personal Set–Up/Relocation 63

2.7 Office Set–Up 66

2.8 Leadership Team Role Sort (for merging teams) 68

2.9 Leadership Team Prestart Alignment Session (for merging teams) 69

2.10 Announcement Cascade 71

CHAPTER 3 Take Control of Day One: Make a Powerful First Impression. Confirm Your Entry Message. 73

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

3.1 Day One Checklist 87

3.2 New Leader Assimilation Session 89

3.3 New Owner Assimilation Session (for an acquisition) 91

CHAPTER 4 Activate Ongoing Communication: Establish Leadership and Begin Cultural Transformation. 93

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

4.1 Communication Guide 104

CHAPTER 5 Pivot to Strategy: Co–Create the Burning Imperative by Day 30. 105

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

5.1 Burning Imperative Workshop 118

CHAPTER 6 Drive Operational Accountability: Embed Milestones by Day 45 and Early Wins by Day 60. 121

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

6.1 Milestone Management 141

6.2 Team Charter/Early Win Tool (for subteams) 143

6.3 Problem Solving 144

CHAPTER 7 Strengthen the Organization: Get the Right Team in Place by Day 70. 147

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

7.1 Role Sort 168

7.2 Recruiting Brief 169

CHAPTER 8 Keep Building: Evolve Your Leadership, Practices, and Culture to Deliver Results. 171

Tools in the book (with downloadable copies on the web):

8.1 Quarterly Reviews 186

8.2 Internal Communications 187

8.3 Program Management 189

8.4 Coaching and Support 190

8.5 100–Hour Plan for Crisis Management 191

References and Further Reading 195

About the Authors 197

Index 199

GEORGE B. BRADT is a Principal of CEO Connection and Chairman of PrimeGenesis, the executive onboarding group he founded in 2002 to accelerate complex transitions for leaders and teams.

JAYME A. CHECK is a founder partner of PrimeGenesis and author of its executive onboarding methodology and CEO of Quantum Global Partners.

JOHN A. LAWLER is PrimeGenesis′ Chief Executive Officer. Previously, he led business and cultural transformations for multinationals in a variety of industries worldwide, and was CEO of three private equity backed businesses.