Change is usually difficult for organizations. People will want to know who you are and whether you are “good” or “bad” for them. Use the early period to assess the company strategy, values and culture and how they may need to change; recognize this requires a systematic approach.
What Experienced CEOs Have Learned
Aligning the Organization: Checklist
Before You Start
- Identify who to talk to for your listening tour; ask for names of key organization and cultural influencers.
- Review most recent employee engagement, culture survey or other analyses providing insight into the broader organization.
First 100 Days
- Identify “how things work around here.” Go on the hunt for the knowledge networks, key influencers, decision-making protocols and the unwritten and unspoken conventions that are the nervous system of any organization.
- Communicate your personality, management philosophy, background, operating principles and expectations.
- Review employee satisfaction/engagement survey results and examine turnover data and rationale.
- Develop hypotheses about organizational structure and roles and responsibilities.
- Create mechanism for gathering input from broader organization.
Day 101 and Beyond
- Establish a comprehensive organization communications plan; consider holding an all-employee meeting to share observations.
- To evolve culture, adapt measures of success, new expectations and new operating processes to reflect the ideal culture; empower leaders. Lead by example.
- Remain visible; leverage technology platforms for ongoing communication and listening.
Additional Resources
Spencer Stuart Insights
