How great leaders step into new roles

"Across all sectors of the economy, there is a lot of churn in leadership right now going all the way to the top. The C-suite and its equivalent in many organizations has become a merry-go-round. When a new leader is hired into a key role, they must quickly get adapted to how things work in order to make positive changes while breaking as few things as possible. Great leaders have strategies to enable them to engage their new team quickly and institute change effectively."

"No matter how much intel you get from others before starting the role, there is no substitute for sitting down with the teams and getting to know them. This can take a while, so it may seem like a waste of time. But, talking strategically and tactically with the leaders who work for you can give you a sense of their capacity to understand, collaborate, and implement your vision moving forward."

Leadership churn is prevalent across sectors, requiring new leaders to adapt quickly while minimizing disruption. New leaders must meet their teams to learn who reports to them, how teams function, and which groups can reliably execute work. Listening first by asking questions reveals organizational problems, near-term goals, and frontline concerns. Setting clear priorities focuses limited attention and resources on top opportunities and prevents premature action. Securing early wins builds credibility, demonstrates competence, and creates momentum for larger changes. Combining team assessment, active listening, focused priorities, and early successes enables effective change while preserving essential capabilities.

Read at Fast Company