IMD Business School

The First 90 Days

IMD Business School

Leadership

About Programme

Transitions are defining moments. When you step into a new role, your early actions determine not only your immediate success but also the trajectory of your leadership over the next two to three years. In addition, transitioning today can be even more complex given the new possibilities of working virtually. How will you use the critical first 90 days in your new position to shape your future success?

Embark on The First 90 Days® interactive journey, pioneered by renowned leadership transitions expert and best-selling author Michael Watkins. By following a proven framework, reinforced through peer-to-peer and individual coaching, you’ll make a thorough diagnosis of your challenges and opportunities. You’ll create a detailed action plan for your first 90 days that will define your leadership effectiveness and impact over the next few years.

Set yourself up for success in your new role without leaving your office.

Are you an HR, L&D, or Talent Management professional? Discover how you can position yourself as a proactive, strategic partner by equipping transitioning leaders with the resources they need to drive early success and long-term performance.

Assess the situation

Diagnose the situation in your new role, including the business challenges, your new team, the culture, and the stakeholder environment.

Define your goals

Define your strategic direction and plan how to align expectations, reshape your team, create alliances, and secure “early wins”.

Build your roadmap

Create a roadmap to navigate this critical, challenging time and implement your transition strategy for success in your new role.

IMD’s First 90 Days® program prepares your leaders to transition effectively and make a significant positive impact on your organization. For HR, L&D, and Talent Management professionals, The First 90 Days® is more than just an onboarding solution – it’s an essential development tool that addresses the often-overlooked risks of leadership transitions. By partnering with IMD, you ensure that your leaders are not only set up for early success but are also positioned to drive long-term performance.

Accelerated onboarding

Your new leaders gain the tools to quickly assimilate into their new roles, understand the organization’s dynamics, and start contributing effectively from day one.

Consistent leadership transitions

The program provides a common language and framework for transitions, enabling you to standardize and scale onboarding across departments.

Reduced risk of failure

Leadership transitions often fail due to lack of preparation. This program mitigates that risk by providing a structured, proven onboarding process.

Alignment with organizational goals

The program helps leaders align their early wins and strategies with broader organizational priorities, improving cohesion.

Enhanced team morale and stability

A well-prepared leader inspires trust and alignment, minimizing disruption and uncertainty while fostering a positive environment for their team members.

This program is part of our broader General Management portfolio for ambitious executives , designed to strengthen strategic leadership, drive organizational performance, and prepare leaders to navigate complex business challenges.

Programme Content

Day 1 – Diagnose your situation
Get started: gain clarity about your transition challenges and opportunities.
Accelerate your learning: define a plan to accelerate your learning.
Match your strategy to the situation: understand and adapt to your business challenges.
Day 2 – Define your goals
Gain alignment: align with your stakeholders by having critical conversations.
Establish direction: identify your priorities, strategy, and vision.
Build your team: assess, reshape, and align your team.
Day 3 – Deliver results
Secure early wins: create momentum through early wins.
Create alliances: gain support from key stakeholders.
Manage yourself: maintain your equilibrium and ability to make good judgments.

Testimonials

"The First 90 Days is a high-impact learning experience. What made it transformative for me wasn’t just the frameworks, it was the clarity they brought. The methodology helped me structure ambiguity, connect instinct to action, and align my leadership momentum with the impact I wanted to create."

Hülya Cesur

CGO & Board Member, Publicis Group, Turkey

"After a very long tenure in a highly respected organization, I transitioned to a smaller player in a similar role and really wanted to provide value as quickly as possible while avoiding coming in with “the” answers and acting impulsively. The First 90 Days program provided the perfect framework for a structured, well-thought, and highly effective approach to make it happen. I had a very successful start in the new role and, after 18 months, I continue to benefit from it."

Balaji Iyer

Head of Sales – Consumer Business, Bajaj Electricals Ltd, India

"I highly recommend this program to those who are taking over positions as new leaders. Michael Watkins takes you through a step-by-step process of creating first impressions, working with new teams, and securing early wins."

Sergio Cantoreggi

Chief Scientific Officer, Sintetica S.A., Switzerland

"The First 90 Days® featured unique short assignments, where we were able to discuss our specific situations. This, combined with the overall approach of teamwork and discussions, was very effective and insightful. Michael Watkins offers an exemplary instructional style: clear, open and receptive."

Farooq Ahmed Shaikh

CEO, Logipoint, Saudi Arabia

"A new role is a challenge that needs to be well prepared in advance. To be successful, it’s critical to have a sound process and be aware of the traps all along the journey. The First 90 Days® approach offers a state-of-the-art process to succeed in a new role."

Guido Caniglia

Scientific Director, Leuphana Universitat Lüneburg, Germany

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Carlo Carrescia

Global HR VP Cooling Business, Schneider Electric, Italy

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Prashansa Uttam

Programme Advisor

+91 9403890085[email protected]Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm IST

IMD Business School

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https://www.imd.org
Lausanne, Switzerland

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The First 90 Days | IMD Business School