Accelerating Leadership Success with the STARS Model

As an HR professional, you understand the critical importance of leadership transitions. Whether an executive is stepping into a new role, navigating a turnaround, or managing accelerated growth, their ability to adapt and succeed during the first few months can set the tone for long-term success—or failure. This is why Genesis Advisers’ Acceleration Coaching program leverages the STARS model.  

Why Leadership Transitions Matter 

Leadership transitions represent moments of both opportunity and risk. Research shows that up to 40% of leaders fail within the first 18 months of a new role. The reasons are varied but often include misaligned priorities, unclear expectations, and a lack of tailored support. For HR teams, ensuring that leaders are set up for success is not just a strategic priority but a critical driver of organizational performance. 

Our Acceleration Coaching program is designed to address these challenges, with the STARS Model at its core. By focusing on diagnosing the business context and aligning strategies, the STARS Model equips leaders to meet their unique challenges head-on.

Understanding the STARS Model 

Developed by Michael Watkins, co-founder of Genesis Advisers and author of The First 90 Days, the STARS Model identifies five distinct business situations leaders may encounter during transitions: 

Start-Up: Building something entirely new—from teams to processes and strategies—to create value from the ground up. 

Turnaround: Reviving struggling operations by addressing urgent problems and stabilizing the organization.

Accelerated Growth: Scaling rapidly while managing increased complexity and resource demands. 

Realignment: Fixing misalignments in an otherwise healthy organization by addressing cultural or operational issues. 

Sustaining Success: Maintaining high performance and finding new ways to innovate without losing momentum. 

Each scenario presents unique challenges, requiring leaders to adapt their approach, prioritize effectively, and align their teams with organizational goals. The ability to diagnose the situation accurately is the foundation of effective leadership transitions. 

The STARS Model in Action 

When integrated into our Acceleration Coaching program, the STARS Model becomes a powerful tool for guiding leaders through the transition process. Here’s how it works: 

1. Diagnosing the Situation: Leaders assess which of the five scenarios best describes their current business context. This clarity enables them to identify the specific challenges they face and the opportunities available. 
2. Tailoring Change Management Strategies: Based on the diagnosis, leaders develop approaches suited to the demands of their situation. For example, a Start-Up scenario might require rapid team-building and decision-making, while a Realignment could focus on cultural shifts and operational improvements. 
3. Adapting Leadership Style: Leaders align their behaviors and decision-making processes with the needs of the organization. For example, a Turnaround demands decisive action and visible leadership, while Sustaining Success may require more collaborative and innovative approaches. 
4. Prioritizing Work and Allocating Resources: With a clear understanding of their situation, leaders can focus on the most critical areas, ensuring resources are deployed where they are needed most. 

Benefits for HR Professionals 

As an HR leader, you play a pivotal role in facilitating leadership transitions. Partnering with Genesis Advisers to implement the STARS Model as part of our Acceleration Coaching program offers several benefits: 

• Improved Transition Outcomes: Leaders equipped with the STARS Model are better prepared to deliver results quickly and effectively. 

• Tailored Support: The program adapts to the unique needs of each leader, ensuring that coaching is relevant and actionable. 

• Organizational Alignment: By diagnosing the business context, leaders can align their priorities with broader organizational goals, driving strategic success. 

• Stronger Leadership Pipeline: Effective transitions build confidence and capability, strengthening the overall leadership bench. 

Empowering Your Leadership Team in 2025 

The start of a new year is the perfect time to invest in your leadership team’s success. With the STARS Model as a key piece of our Acceleration Coaching program, Genesis Advisers provides a proven framework to help leaders navigate complexity, deliver results, and drive sustainable growth. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can partner with you to support your transitioning leaders. Together, we can turn leadership transitions into opportunities for organizational transformation.