Leader From Day One: Turn Your First 90 Days Into a Strategic Advantage

This look where ambition, observation, and strategy meet, mixed with the blend of confidence and questions we feel at the very beginning.

It’s here.

After weeks of tests, doubts and years of effort, you finally land the role you’ve been working toward.

On the morning of your first day, there’s that exhilarating mix of excitement and pressure. You’re ready to prove you’re up to the task. But in the back of your mind, a small voice whispers:

What if they think I’m too much? Or not enough? What if they don’t accept me as I am?

Companies often call these first three months an “onboarding period.”

But for a new leader, especially if it’s your first time at this level, it’s much more than that:

• This is when you start positioning yourself.

• When you build your credibility.

• When you begin to understand the real dynamics behind the official messages.

  
  

Those who underestimate this phase often don’t stay long in these roles.

But making a strong first impression doesn’t mean giving everything you’ve got all at once, it’s about knowing how to pace yourself, observe and take the right steps to build a solid foundation for your leadership.

That’s why it’s called the 90-day test, a strategic moment that can shape the entire course of your journey.

1. Spotting positive signs and red flags

In leadership, what you notice in the first few months goes far beyond your direct team, it’s an entire system you’re learning to read.

Positive signs:

• You’re listened to, even when your perspective is out of the ordinary.

• Your responsibilities and objectives are clearly defined.

• Communication is open and transparent.

• Successes are recognized and celebrated.

  
  

Red flags:

• You’re asked to tone down or hide certain aspects of how you work.

• Priorities shift without clear explanation.

• Key resources or access are hard to obtain.

• The overall climate is marked by mistrust or excessive control.

  
  

Tip: Keep factual notes, not just impressions. This helps you distinguish a temporary challenge from a structural problem. And honestly, it’s one of the best habits for any leader: documenting facts clearly and objectively for every file. This not only helps you analyze situations better, it allows you to make more informed decisions and back them up with concrete evidence.

2. Assessing your room for adaptation

Even in an imperfect environment, there’s often a zone of influence, but it needs to be realistic and respectful of who you are.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have the space to lead in my own style?

• Can I implement my methods or must I conform to a model that drains me?

• Are necessary adjustments welcomed with openness or seen as a problem?

  
  

Tip: Sometimes you’re so deep in the situation that it’s hard to see things clearly. Having someone external, neutral and supportive is like having a mirror reflecting a clear image back at you, it helps pinpoint what truly matters, prepare for delicate conversations, and spot the levers that will actually move things forward.

3. Adjusting your trajectory with intention

The 90 days aren’t a deadline.

Depending on the industry, culture or complexity of the role, it’s perfectly normal for adaptation to take longer. But by this point, you’ve gathered enough observations to adjust how you navigate in your new environment.

Ask yourself:

• What’s working well and worth reinforcing?

• What needs adjusting either on my part or by those around me?

• What issues should I address proactively before they become major pain points?

  
  

Tip: This isn’t about making every decision right now, it’s about laying the foundation for a growth strategy, with regular checkpoints (at 3, 6, 12 months) to keep adapting over time.

Why having support changes everything

I still remember my first leadership role.

I had a training program to complete, I wasn’t left entirely on my own. I was fortunate to have both a mentor AND a coach. The coach helped me step back, challenge some of my fears, and see my blind spots.

With years of hindsight, I can say this is an investment that changes everything. You save precious time by learning from other people’s experiences, their mistakes as well as their successes and you ensure you’re getting the full picture.

Good coaching is a mirror that shows you what you might not have seen on your own.

And honestly, I’ve never felt that saying more strongly than in a new leadership role: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I was challenged, let's put it that way, but I was well supported and ready.

This is exactly the kind of space I now offer my clients: a place where you can be ambitious, be challenged and still stay true to your way of working and your values. Because yes, you deserve to succeed without having to be “less” or “different” than who you are.

In summary

The first 90 days aren’t just about proving you can handle the role, they’re a crucial stage for building the long-term foundations of your success. With the right support, you’re not just adapting, you’re turning this period into a springboard toward durable, strategic, and authentic leadership.

And if this leadership role is still a goal for you?

Then it’s even smarter to start ahead of time. Getting coaching before you step in is like preparing the ground before you build, the foundations are solid and everything you construct afterward rests on a stable base. You gain clarity, confidence, strategy well before your first day in the role.

To gain a clear perspective and tailored support, book a 30-minute discovery call. I’m convinced it’s a real catalyst for your success.

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