Hi {{ subscriber.first_name }}, If you’re stepping into a CEO or a new leadership role, your reputation isn’t built over years. It’s built in the first 90 days. In this article, I’ll share why those three months matter, the traps new CEOs fall into, and the moves that set you up for long-term success. Why the First 90 Days Matter By day 90, your board, your executives, and your employees have already judged you. Fair or not, impressions set fast. Those first moves create a story:
That story becomes the lens through which every future decision is interpreted. Which means your credibility is won or lost early. The Traps New CEOs Fall Into 1. Waiting too long to act. Many CEOs think they’re being wise by observing first. Listening tours are valuable — but if you delay action too long, people assume indecision. I coached a financial services CEO who spent six months gathering input. By then, the board had labeled him cautious and reactive. That reputation stuck. 2. Overloading on data. New CEOs want certainty. They demand more reports, more validation, more analysis. But excessive data slows decisions until opportunities pass. Boards don’t remember your thoroughness — they remember your hesitation. 3. Ignoring culture. Strategy is exciting, culture feels “soft.” But culture eats strategy alive. A CEO I observed launched an ambitious innovation plan into a deeply risk-averse culture. Nobody took risks. A year later, nothing had moved. His blind spot wasn’t vision — it was ignoring culture. Winning Moves in the First 90 Days 1. Clarify your identity. If you don’t define yourself, others will. Communicate how you lead, what you value, and what you won’t tolerate. One CEO began her tenure by telling her team: “I will always listen, I will decide with speed, and I will never sacrifice integrity for results.” That clarity bought her instant trust. 2. Pick symbolic wins. Early actions signal your priorities. A consumer goods CEO I advised began by fixing a long-standing product-approval bottleneck. It wasn’t the most strategic move, but it sent a clear message: “I listen, I act, I remove obstacles.” Symbolism builds credibility. 3. Align around a few priorities. The temptation is to launch dozens of initiatives. Resist it. Choose two or three priorities and hammer them relentlessly. When Satya Nadella took over Microsoft, he didn’t fix everything at once. He focused on cloud and culture. That focus transformed the company. So... Your first 90 days are not a waiting room. They’re your defining chapter. And the moves you make — or fail to make — will shape perceptions for years. Andrea Petrone CEO Whisperer | Top 1% Executive Coach and Speaker in the UK | Founder of WCL. You need more? Here are other ways to get value from what I do: 1) I’ve built new Transformation Labs, programs designed for every stage of a CEO’s journey: from new appointments to major transitions and legacy building. There’s also a new Lab dedicated to leadership teams. Reply LAB if you’d like to explore how this could work for you, and we’ll set up a quick call. 2) Are you tired of leading alone and want to surround yourself with people who truly get it? WCL21 might be exactly what you need. WCL21 is our new hub for CEOs. Get inspired and build your powerful allies. Join the waiting list here 3) Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? 3) Watch and listen to the "The World Class Leaders Show" podcast and leave a review: 4) Do you want me to speak at your next event or do you want me to support your organisation in a new initiative? Book a call with me here |