The New Leader’s Journal: 100-day recap

Tomorrow is 100 days.

Thought I’d pause to recap what I’ve accomplished so far.

Got a head start.

Having a plan in advance made a big difference.  I knew where I was going.

Additionally, I’m still getting good feedback on those pre-start conversations.  My relationships with people I met before day one are still stronger than others.

The key relationship was and continues to be with Jack.  This started off well and continues to go well largely because we’re both continuing to invest in the relationship as well as in the business.

Managed the message

The message turned out to be a big deal.  The message itself was simple, “Our time!”.  But it guided all my questions and efforts throughout my 100-days.

At first it was purely hypothetical.  I was prepared to evolve it or throw it out as I learned.  Since it worked, I kept it.

Built the team

These building blocks made a big difference:

–       Got all aligned around a burning imperative by the end of my first month

–       Got milestones in place early on.  We now run those meetings like a well-oiled clock.

–       We’re on track to deliver our PR early wins.  I’m glad we picked something doable.

–       The role sort both calmed people down and helped them move forward

–       I’ve kept communicating at every step of the way.  It’s been appreciated.

Separately, David and his team are making some final changes to our investment marketing plans before I share them with my boss, Jack next week.  The 100-day process is valuable – but only if it accelerates real results.  These investment plans will form the basis of our next 100-week action plan.

This will be my last journal entry.  Hope you found them useful and that the insights provided will help you to inspire and enable others.Would also again encourage you to review the 3rd edition of The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan.


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 Plan.  Click here to request an executive summary of the book.  Click here to pre-order/order a copy.

Read More Articles

The Benefit of Front Foot Executive Onboarding

Don’t lay back. Some executives let someone else manage their onboarding into a new role. This increases their chances of falling into the 40% of new leaders that get fired,…

Read Article
Nvidia logo with a black background
What Colette Kress Must Do As Nvidia’s Interim CEO

Nvidia's board has named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO following Jensen Huang's resignation, effective immediately. She keeps the CFO job too. The board is searching for a permanent CEO, inside…

Read Article
Professionals shaking hands in a bright office during a meeting, symbolizing partnership.
Your First 100 Days Are a Trust Test. Here’s How to Pass It

Executives rarely start new roles with real trust. Before day one, most organizations hold new leaders at arm’s‑length, relying on resumes, references, and search‑firm vetting instead of firsthand experience. The…

Read Article
Alt text (100 characters): Speedboat cutting across deep blue water, leaving white wakes behind in an aerial ocean view.
One Measure Of The Strength Of A Leader Is The Debris They Leave In Their Wake

Every leader leaves a wake. Most spend their time looking at where they’re going. The better question is what they’re leaving behind. Self-centered leaders move up. They hit their numbers,…

Read Article
Book cover titled A Heartbeat Away with a red heartbeat line on a dark background from Dr. Ron Bogart.
Build Nested Leadership That Works Without You

What happens to the organization when you’re not in it?  That question drives Ron Bogart’s leadership fable, A Heartbeat Away: How Strong Organizations Outlast Strong Personalities. One character wakes from…

Read Article
Professional reviewing charts and financial reports at a meeting table, writing notes on documents with graphs, data visuals, and sticky notes.
A Good Acquisition Story Is Not a Plan.

When Wolf-Gordon announced it was buying Andor Willow and Look Walls and Interiors, the logic behind the acquisition was easy to read. The private equity owner, Charger Investment Partners, wants…

Read Article