The New Leader’s Journal: Early Wins

I changed my mind on the early win. I’d originally thought we’d focus on a new advertising campaign. Still think that’s important. It’s just going to take longer than I’d expected.

On the other hand, we should be able to launch some new PR efforts sooner, so we will over-invest there to get those in the market by  end of September.

Reflections

Early wins are the third building block of building a high-performing team in The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan (Imperative – Milestones – Early Wins – Role Sort – Communication).  It’s critical to get them chosen by day 60 so they can be delivered by month six.  We’re on track.

I know there will be a conversation early next year after I’ve been with the organization about six months.  Someone will turn to my boss, Jack, and ask him “How’s the new CMO doing?”  It’s important for him to be able to say “Let me tell you what he’s gotten done….”  Of course, I won’t have gotten anything done.  But my team will have delivered some of these early wins.  The PR effort is one that is relatively easy to deliver, will have an impact, is something important to Jack, and something that he can talk about.


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 order a copy.

Read More Articles

Concept image of human brain made of blue and gray paint brushes
The Neuroscience of Leadership: Accelerating Growth Mindset and Enterprise Performance

Organizations’ futures depend less on what their people know today than on how fast they can learn, adapt, and execute tomorrow. Building on Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset – the idea that abilities can be…

Read Article
A group of professionals collaborating.
Everything Communicates: Especially As and To an Executive Onboarding into a New Role

Everything communicates. Everything you say and don’t say, do and don’t do, and the order in which you say and do it sends a message. The same is true for everyone around you. As an executive onboarding into a…

Read Article
Group team working in a office.
Designing The Right Offsites for Different Leadership Levels

Offsites can be rocket fuel or expensive theater. One difference is whether you design each for the kind of leadership each level needs to provide: cultural, strategic, operational, or tactical. When you nest your offsites to fit those roles, you…

Read Article
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