“A worried man with a worried mind"

“A worried man with a worried mind
No one in front of me and nothing behind”

Transitioning into a new role? Excited but feeling a knot of anxiety?

Having a 90 day plan helps you stay focused, gives you purpose, lets your team know what to expect and helps set expectations with the boss

My work with high potentials often (thankfully) leads to them getting promoted and being handed new challenges.

And then the doubt and concern creeps in. The reality of the new position, the task of transforming the existing team, the realization of the resources actually available, and the heightened expectations of the boss who has promoted them – all these weigh on the normally positive and upbeat high-po.

In my experience, it is that last aspect, the expectations of the boss, that most worries the new leader.

With a track record of success behind them, the newly promoted leader has no fear of challenge but they become anxious when considering that they may not match the expected targets and quotas.

The key to removing the anxiety is about actively resetting the expectations with the boss – an open and honest conversation about what the current state is, what is needed, what you plan to focus on and what results to expect.

This is where the 90 day plan provides a vehicle for that crucial conversation with the boss.

Don’t forget – the boss most likely has been involved in your promotion so they want you to succeed. But you need to give them confidence that you are heading in the right direction so that they can breathe in terms of results.

So if you find yourself in a new role, start mapping out your plan and get your boss on board so that you feel them beside you as opposed to being on your back.

Thoughts? Comments? Insults?

Have finally got a Dylan line into my blog title – more to follow.