The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan

Praise for The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan "The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan offers practical tools and techniques for new leaders to follow. Leaders who use this book can expect impressive business and culture-building results." -Joe Bonito, SVP, Bank of America (after Coach & Pfizer) "I have worked with PrimeGenesis twice in the last 24 months, first as a private equity investor and most recently as a first time leader of a company. In both cases, their process and facilitation created nearly immediate alignment around our strategy and tactics that dramatically accelerated value creation. We accomplished nearly a year of positive change within a month." -Ryan Heckman, Private Equity Investor "In a hyper-competitive environment, it's imperative that senior leaders - particularly CEOs - have as many tools as possible at their disposal. The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan provides a critical advantage to executives in identifying objectives, stakeholders, and messaging points as they transition into new leadership roles. The PrimeGenesis methodology is a key component of a successful onboarding toolkit." - Harry Somerdyk, Director, Talent Management and Executive Recruitment, RFE Investment Partners (Private Equity) "This program helps assure success through accelerated learning, and helps leaders avoid common pitfalls and barriers that often derail new leaders. First impressions are lasting. PrimeGenesis will ensure that your new leaders are received positively on day one and hit the ground running." -Gretchen Crist, former SVP, Human Resources, Sun Products (after Playtex) "I can recommend PrimeGenesis and this book without reservation to help any senior leader moving into a complex new role, including promotions and new hires, when they cannot afford to fail." -Robert Rigby-Hall, former SVP, Human Resources, NXP (after LexisNexis)

GEORGE B. BRADT is Chair of PrimeGenesis, helping lead the revolution in how people start new jobs. Prior to founding PrimeGenesis, George served in sales, marketing, and general management roles around the world at companies including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and J.D. Power and Associates as chief executive of its Power Information Network spin-off. JAYME A. CHECK is a founder and Managing Partner of PrimeGenesis and author of its executive onboarding methodology that is now deployed in hundreds of organizations worldwide. Jayme is also CEO of Quantum Global Partners, an advisory firm that provides companies worldwide with strategic planning and execution, executive coaching, and leadership development. He offers a global perspective on leadership gained from executive and advisory roles with Fortune 500, start-up, private equity, and venture capital firms. JOHN A. LAWLER is PrimeGenesis' CEO. He and the firm have helped clients accelerate and succeed through critical transitions in markets ranging from emerging technologies, to middle market businesses, to global manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, services and consumer products. Previously, John led business and culture transformations globally as CEO of three different private equity backed companies, group President at LexisNexis and as a global executive at Dun & Bradstreet.

Acknowledgments vii Executive Summary ix Tools (Note the most up-to-date, full, editable versions of all tools are downloadable at primegenesis.com/tools.) xxxi Part I The New Leader's 100- Day Action Plan 1 Chapter 1 Position Yourself for Success: Get the Job Make Sure It Is Right for You Avoid Common Land Mines 3 Chapter 2 The Job Starts When You Accept the Offer: Leverage the Fuzzy Front End 23 Chapter 3 Take Control of Day One: Make a Powerful First Impression Confirm Your Entry Message 59 Chapter 4 Evolve the Culture Leverage Diversity 69 Chapter 5 Manage Communication, Especially Digitally with Your Remote Team 83 Chapter 6 Pivot to Strategy: Co-create the Burning Imperative by Day 30 97 Chapter 7 Drive Operational Accountability: Embed Milestone Management by Day 45 117 Chapter 8 Select Early Wins by Day 60 to Deliver Within 6 Months 135 Chapter 9 Build a High- Performing Team: Realign, Acquire, Enable, and Mentor by Day 70 141 Chapter 10 Adjust and Advance Your Own Leadership, People, Practices, and Culture by Day 100 157 Part II Special Circumstances 173 Chapter 11 Manage Your New Board 175 Chapter 12 Lead Through Mergers and Acquisitions 187 Chapter 13 Lead a Turnaround 199 Chapter 14 Lead Through a Crisis: A 100- Hour Action Plan 211 Bibliography 223 About the Authors 225 Index 227