‹ The Founder Bookshelf

The First 90 Days cover

The First 90 Days

Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels

Master the first three months of any new role.

by Michael D. Watkins

Watkins lays out a structured plan for the critical first ninety days in a new leadership role, when momentum or failure is set early. He covers accelerating learning, securing early wins, building coalitions, and matching strategy to the business situation. The book has become the standard playbook for executive transitions.

Founders constantly enter new situations, raising rounds, entering markets, hiring senior leaders, where the early days shape everything that follows. Watkins gives a concrete framework for getting up to speed fast and avoiding common transition traps when bringing in executives.

Where to get it