The Transition Roadmap, developed through research by Michael Watkins, author of The First 90 Days, and decades of coaching by Genesis, provides a structured framework to help leaders transition into new roles efficiently. This roadmap encompasses eight core tasks designed to guide leaders in diagnosing, planning, and delivering effectively in their new positions while managing their energy and self-care.
This roadmap encompasses eight core tasks designed to guide leaders in diagnosing, planning, and delivering effectively in their new positions while managing their energy and self-care.
Leaders should focus on accelerating their learning by identifying technical, cultural, and political learning goals. Developing a comprehensive learning plan is crucial.
This plan should cover the fundamental aspects of the business, including:
Efficient learning during the initial stages lays a solid foundation for a successful transition. The faster leaders learn about organizational challenges and strengths, the more they can accomplish in the critical first months.
Diagnosing the business situation using the STARS framework (Start-Up, Turnaround, Accelerated Growth, Realignment, and Sustaining Success) is vital.
Leaders must:
Clear assessment of the business challenges helps in prioritizing work and allocating resources effectively, ensuring a smooth transition and successful strategy implementation.
Gaining alignment with managers is crucial for a productive working relationship.
Leaders should:
Building a strong relationship with new managers is essential for a successful transition, ensuring mutual understanding and cooperation.
As leaders learn more about their new roles, identifying priorities, strategies, and vision becomes crucial.
Leaders should:
This step ensures cohesive progress and clarity in organizational goals, inspiring the team to work towards common objectives.
Building an effective team is a critical task for new leaders.
Leaders must:
Leaders should focus on aligning and energizing the team to achieve organizational goals, ensuring a unified and capable team.
Securing early wins builds credibility and momentum.
Leaders should:
Early wins should be significant enough to be perceived as important and achievable within a reasonable timeframe with available resources. These wins create virtuous cycles, leveraging the energy put into the organization and fostering a sense of progress and achievement.
Building alliances is crucial for supporting key initiatives.
Leaders should:
Understanding stakeholders' agendas and influencing them effectively is key for gaining the necessary support and advancing organizational goals.
Managing oneself is essential for sustaining success during transitions.
Leaders should:
Maintaining perspective, managing energy, and making sound judgments are crucial for navigating the demanding transition period. Staying disciplined in decision-making and investing in the right adviser network helps leaders maintain their equilibrium and make informed decisions.
The Transition Roadmap provides a comprehensive guide for leaders to navigate the critical first 90 days in a new role. By following the eight core tasks—accelerating learning, matching strategy to the situation, gaining alignment, establishing direction, building the team, securing early wins, creating alliances, and managing oneself—leaders can transition smoothly and set the foundation for long-term success.
This framework forms the basis of Genesis' programs for leaders in transition. Genesis has adapted its programs to support leaders at all levels, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance and resources to excel in their new roles and drive their organizations forward. Learn more about our solutions below.