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Leadership Search Leadership LeadershipThe First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels
Harvard Business School Press Search Harvard Business School Press by Michael D Watkins Search Michael D Watkins
Customer Reviews:
For new senior managers, not "first timers"
As a keen student of new manager behaviour always on the lookout for new ideas, I picked up "The First 90 Days" with great anticipation. Michael Watkins sets out to provide new managers (he calls them "leaders") with a 90 day plan for taking over in a new role. There's lots to recommend this book. There's also lots to question.
In "The First 90 Days", the author stresses the importance of building momentum during the critical transition phase from new manager to successful manager. A 90 day acceleration plan is suggested that includes 10 transition challenges ranging from "promote yourself" through "score early wins", to "expedite everyone". One needs to look further than the title of these challenges as they are often more than what they seem. For example, "promote yourself" has more to do with changing your perspective to fit the new role rather than self-promotion.
I particularly liked some of the practical tips included in this book, such as the "Problem Preferences Assessment" which enables the new manager to quickly select the most appropriate and rewarding problem areas to address. Also a suggestion to write yourself a letter as if you had been in the role for three years describing what others said about your success in the role, is a nice way to set a broad vision for the new manager. Chapter 5 "Negotiate Success", which is all about managing your boss through the 90 day plan, is worth the price of this book alone.
I have three areas of criticism. Firstly, whilst the book has a fantastic array of suggestions, strategies, tips etc, I feel it would take more than 90 days to implement them all, let alone do the work that is required in the role. As such, it would make a great text for students of management, but could overwhelm the new manager looking for some quick or directed advice.
Secondly, although the author stresses otherwise, the book seems more suited to upper level roles than first line supervisors. For example, Chapter 6 "Achieve Alignment", looks at quite a sophisticated process of crafting strategy, assessing coherence, assessing adequacy and modifying strategy.
Finally, I'd like to see more positive case studies to illustrate rather than the "what went wrong" scenarios provided in a number of chapters. Although in real life, we often learn more from our mistakes, in a teaching role (such as this book) it is far more effective for the reader if he or she can see what works and implement this, rather than what doesn't.
I would recommend this book as an excellent text for management students and a resource for management teachers/educators. If you're a reading "The First 90 Days", then go straight to the practical "How to" areas, otherwise your 90 days will be up before you finish reading. (New managers might like to check out What To Do When You Become The Boss: How New Managers Become Successful Managers: OR 50 DOs for Everyday Leadership: Practical Lessons Learned the Hard Way (So You Don't Have To)
Bob Selden, author of What To Do When You Become The Boss: How New Managers Become Successful Managers
One of the most valuable books I have ever read! 
Whether you are joining a new organisation, starting a new assignment as an interim, stepping up to a new role or coping with redundancy this is an incredibly valuable book. Well written, focussed and imminently practicable Michael Watkins sets out ideas and that help and support any individual's impact in those early weeks in a new role.
While the title implies it may be aimed at leaders it is useful for all managers from graduate entrant upwards and I thoroughly recommend it.
The First 90 Days 
Too much focus on senior, change management roles. Not every new role is at CE level. But some useful guidance regardless.
First 90 Days - M. Watkins
Starting a new job or moving into a new position can be daunting. The matter-of-fact explanation and easy plans for growth presented by Watkins makes this transition easier. Good thing about it, no matter where you are in your carreer, you can start with a 90-day plan utilising his plans of action. Overall a high quality work that is applicable and easy to follow.
The first 90 days - critical success tratgeies for new leaders at all levels
An excellent book but this was in part because I had a thirst for something more than the 'positive thinking' psycho books that appear to spend more time with pneuomonics than substance!
This book provides you with a framework, the trick is to have a pencil, paper and lots of thinking time to hand- As an experienced senior manager I know (with some hindsight!!) success in a post is built on the thinking and focus BEFORE you take up post.
Easy to read, well structured and prompting action- a great combination
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New (51) Used (41) Collectible (2) from $11.50. Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 127 reviews. Sales Rank: 1190. Category: Book ASIN: 1591391105. Publication Date: September 18, 2003. Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days ...
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general career discussions :: re: new role - action plan
http://www.amazon.co.uk/first-90-days-critical-strategies/dp/1591391105/ref=pd_sim_b_1/202-0842676-5527020. take a look at the book above - i think it will give you some good insights. regards, ...
http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=26401#26401
book review - prajakta kavalanekar
the first 90 days: critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels. michael watkins. harvard business school press; 1 edition (2003). 208 pp. $27.95 (isbn-10: 1591391105, isbn-13: 978-1591391104)
http://ideas4change-ischool.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-review-prajakta-kavalanekar.html
the first 90 days: critical success strategies for new leaders at ...
$27.95 (isbn-10: 1591391105, isbn-13: 978-1591391104). the author of this book, dr. michael watkins, has taught the subject of management and leadership at harvard business school and imd, switzerland. he has authored a few books on ...
http://ideas4change-ischool.blogspot.com/2008/11/first-90-days-critical-success.html
re: how do i get back to where i really want to be?
http://www.amazon.com/first-90-days-critical-strategies/dp/1591391105. turn-arounds, re-alignments, start-ups, and sustaining success (according to the author) have different leadership requirements. it could be that you have traits and ...
http://www.manager-tools.com/forums-4045#comment-58156
E Books for Everyone: The First 90 Days: Critical Success ...
ISBN:1591391105. Harvard Business School Publishing 2003. The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels Introduction. The President of the United States gets 100 days to prove himself; you get 90. ...
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the first 90 days: critical success strategies for new leaders at ...
... timeblaster corporation, serial entrepreneur, and cofounder and trustee, massachusetts software council. author: michael watkins hardcover: 208 pages. company: harvard business school press (2003-09-18) isbn: 1591391105 ...
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michael watkins, «the first 90 days critical success strategies ...
isbn: 1591391105 publisher: harvard business school press type: chm size: 1108 kbsummary:whether challenged with taking on a startup, turning a business around, or inheriting a high-performing unit, a new leader's success or failure is ...
http://freebookie.blogspot.com/2007/04/michael-watkins-first-90-days-critical.html
burning imperative
... early wins to build team confidence, and - shape team culture with ongoing communication. nothing really new, with many ideas similar to as 'right from the start' (isbn 1591391105) in particular, but a worthwhile read all the same.
http://andrewleaning.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!ABBEE188BD744DF8!126.entry
the first 90 days critical success strategies for new leaders at all
posted by :: muyace | date :: oct 2, 2006 15:50:00 | [ 5 comments ]. the first 90 days critical success strategies for new leaders at all isbn: 1591391105. author: michael watkins publisher: harvard business school press type: chm ...
http://www.avaxhome.ru/ebooks/thefirst90.html
