Why are transitions so critical?

My research has shown that the actions new leaders take (or fail to take) during their first few months on the job largely determine their success or failure. Transitions are pivotal, in part because everyone is expecting change. But they also are periods of great vulnerability for new leaders who lack established working relationships and detailed knowledge of their roles. New leaders don’t have the knowledge or the networks necessary to get things done. Transitions are all about creating momentum. Leaders who make poor decisions early on, or who fail to secure early wins in the first few months face, an uphill battle from that point forward.

The specific challenges facing new leaders depend on the types of transitions they are experiencing. Leaders who have been hired from the outside confront the need to adapt to new business models and organizational cultures, and to build supportive networks of relationships. For those who have been promoted, the challenges lie in understanding and developing the competencies required to be successful at the new level. So it is essential to carefully diagnose the situation and craft transition strategies accordingly.