The President's First 90 Days
Watkins-style transition — listen and learn, design and document, then align and mobilize with visible wins.
Michael Watkins' "The First 90 Days" (HBR Press, 2003) provides a widely used framework for leadership transitions.
Days 1–30
Listen & learn
Diagnose the organization. Conduct 1:1s with every subcommittee lead. Map existing processes (even if informal). Identify the 2–3 people who hold institutional knowledge.
Key deliverables:Stakeholder mapProcess inventoryTop-3 priority list
Days 31–60
Design & document
Install minimum viable governance: RACI for key processes, committee charters, meeting cadence, financial controls. Document current state before redesigning anything.
Key deliverables:RACI matrixSubcommittee chartersMeeting calendar
Days 61–90
Align & mobilize
Launch the first visible win. Host a town hall or community event that signals momentum. Present a 1-year operational plan to the board.
Key deliverables:Operational planFirst public eventBoard-approved budget