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The 90-Day Plan (Watkins)

In transition to a new role: 30 days listen, 30 plan, 30 execute. Avoid "prove myself immediately" trap.

90 min Advanced

Goal

Beat the urge for "quick wins" in first 90 days, which destroys 60% of new leaders.

Steps

1

First 30 — Listen: meet 20+ people. Ask each 3: what works? Obstacles? What change do you wish?

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Expected Outcome

Immediate

You avoid 2-3 decisions you'd regret if made in week 1.

Evidence base

School: Onboarding Research / Harvard

Founders: Michael D. Watkins (2003)

Coined by Michael D. Watkins (Harvard Business School) in "The First 90 Days" (2003). 1.5M+ copies. Linked to IMD Business School for leaders in transition.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "The 90-Day Plan (Watkins)" take?

This exercise takes about 90 minutes, practiced solo in a Behavioral format.

When will I notice the effect of "The 90-Day Plan (Watkins)"?

You avoid 2-3 decisions you'd regret if made in week 1. In the short term: Day 90, reports say: "best transition we've seen". Because you listened first.

Is "The 90-Day Plan (Watkins)" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on Onboarding Research / Harvard (Michael D. Watkins (2003)). Coined by Michael D. Watkins (Harvard Business School) in "The First 90 Days" (2003). 1.5M+ copies. Linked to IMD Business School for leaders in transition.

Is "The 90-Day Plan (Watkins)" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Advanced. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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