The First 90 Days

Two of the ideas you’ll keep

The Clif summary of The First 90 Days pulls out 7 insights. Here are the first two.

1. Aim for the break-even point, the moment you've added as much value as you've consumed. In Watkins's survey, more than 200 CEOs estimating the time for a typical mid-level leader put the average at about 6.2 months, and he argues a disciplined, systematic transition can reach it sooner.
2. Diagnose your situation with the STARS model, Start-up, Turnaround, Accelerated growth, Realignment, or Sustaining success. Each demands a different strategy, pace, and psychology, and most leaders inherit a portfolio of several at once.

The other 5 — and the full 11-minute summary — are in the app.

What’s inside: 8 chapters

The whole summary runs about 11 minutes, read or listened to.

1. The Break-Even Point: Why Transitions Make or Break Careers
2. Promote Yourself: Make the Mental Break
3. Accelerate Your Learning: Diagnosis Before Action
4. Match Strategy to Situation: The STARS Model
5. Secure Early Wins: Momentum in Two Waves
6. Negotiate Success: The Five Conversations
7. Achieve Alignment and Build Your Team
8. Create Coalitions and Keep Your Balance