By Guest Author Robert Hargrove
Companies invest a tremendous amount of time, energy, and expense in hiring a new executive. Yet research conducted by the Gallup organization shows that a shocking 40% of newly placed executives are shown the door before 18 months.
Part of the reason is that executives are mis-hired in the first place, yet another big part of the reason is that they did not receive any help with “executive onboarding,” in the way of coaching or mentoring.
What’s the problem?
First, in the sink or swim culture that exists in most organizations, coaching doesn’t exist. Second the mindset of the typical executive is “my entire career has been an apprenticeship for the role I am in now, and I am going to just do it. I don’t need coaching.” Third, executives are often hired to bring about change in an organization, without any knowledge of how to master the vagaries of the political chessboard or understanding of the culture.
I urge people to find a coach for the first 100 days in a new job, as this is often pivotal in making a successful transition. This is a time when you need to calibrate your vision and goals in line with diverse stakeholders and the needs of the organization. It’s a time to make some quick wins that will increase your personal credibility and political capital. And it’s a time when people’s opinions about you will be crystalizing. Things misspoken or missteps made can put you in a deep hole which will be hard to climb out of.
Here is a short list of coaching tips for executive onboarding:
1. Find a coach who can help you with the executive onboarding process. Talk a minimum of once a week.
2. Have a story ready for day one, as key stakeholders look for important signals immediately.
3. Make a decision or take an action within 72 hours to seal your leadership and have an impact.
4. Do your diligence interviews to build trust and understand the corporate culture. Then, and only then, create a strategy to match.
5. Create a virtuous circle of increasing personal credibility and political capital through a rapid succession of quick wins.
Robert Hargrove: Your First 100 Days In a New Executive Job: Powerful First Steps On The Path to Greatness