The New Leader’s Journal: Week One reflections

Definitely feel like I was drinking from a fire hose this week – particularly since it was only four days. All-in-all it went well.  Did a LOT of listening, resisting the temptation to have an opinion on anything.

 

Met with Gerald at the ad agency.  They’re doing some good things.

Also met with Hal at the PR agency.  They’re an underutilized resource.  Need to get them more involved.

 

Went through both brands’ base plans.  Disappointing.  I get it.  They’ve been acting like a start up and haven’t had much cash, but why they did not take advantage of free media is beyond me.

 

Started one-on-one meetings with the marketing people reporting into David, Ellen and Faith. Love the attitude. Not much classical training though. Much work to be done.

 

Reflections

This step is really an extension of day one.  “Day One” is somewhat of a myth. This is all about those early first impressions and making sure I’m not causing any lasting damage.  Spents some good time with my boss Jack.  Important to do so.  I’m absolutely playing not to lose here. I know I can’t win…yet.


The New Leader’s Journal is a fictional exercise illustrating the prescriptions and tools in the 3rd edition of The New Leader’s 100-Day Action PlanClick here to request an executive summary of the book.  Click here to pre-order/order a copy.

Read More Articles

Argentina flag with the body shape of the country in soccer field.
Strategic Adaptation in Leadership: Lessons from the Argentina–England World Cup Semi-Final

The Argentina–England World Cup semi-final was not just a game; it was a live case study in how leaders deploy strategy and tactics—and what happens when they fail to adjust…

Read Article
Confident executive standing on a modern stage, delivering a presentation
Act Like You’re Already Successful to Jump-Start Success

Success doesn’t start when you “make it.” It starts when you behave like you already have. The best leaders - whether they are taking on a new CEO role, launching…

Read Article
Picture of the Allies Normandy World War II amphibious assault D‑Day
Why Leaders Get the Followers and Decisions They Deserve

Leaders don’t simply get the followers they deserve; they get the decisions they design for. When leaders understand the different ways people create value - artistically, scientifically, and interpersonally -…

Read Article
Primegenesis Operational Leadership
The Underappreciated Power of Operational Leadership

Operational leadership is the undervalued fulcrum between theory and reality. It is where strategy stops living in slide decks, where culture becomes observable behavior, and where tactics gain the coherence…

Read Article
NBA Champions game
The Stockdale Paradox: Preparing Your Leadership Team for Adversity

Down 29 points in the third quarter of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the New York Knicks did something that had never been done in Finals history. With…

Read Article
Building Accountability in High-Performing Teams: From Slogan to Commitment

Turning empowerment from a slogan into a mutual agreement and engagement from an attitude into observable commitment  Almost every leader says they want empowered people. Almost every employee says they…

Read Article