Keeping your balance in a new role or project
Finding a balance and making progress in a new role or a new project can be challenging
Taking full stock of the challenge ahead – in a new role or a new project - can help you.
The seven statements in “The First 90 Days” by Michael Watkins can help structure thoughts when taking stock.
The seven statements suggest that we assess our:
1) Busyness and finding time for the most important priority things
2) Attention to doing the right things and not doing/over-doing other things
3) Frustration at the way we think things should be done
4) Level of isolation and connection in the organisation
5) Accuracy of judgement in the context of the new role or new project
6) Embracing or avoiding tough decisions on key issues and priority things
7) Energy levels
Watkins suggests methods to avoid vicious cycles or ‘self-reinforcing dynamic(s)’ from which it will be difficult to escape.
Every beginning is a great opportunity to take what we’ve learned so far and apply that thinking in the present
We hope that the ‘Finding a Balance and Making Progress’ worktable helps you to make a successful start in your new role or project! To start with, we suggest identifying and work on the 2-3 stand-out points from your thoughts about the seven statements.
Contact RLS today to find out more how we can support you! Our many services include mentoring, training and coaching.
| (1/3) Risk | Impact of risk | Possible solutions and achieving self-efficacy | My notes and planning | 1) Riding off in all directions |
• Lack of focus • Mental ‘lock up’ • Low attention to important challenges • Cyclical firefighting |
• Document priorities • Get commitment to priorities and plan • Build momentum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2) Undefended boundaries |
• Colleagues take what you must give • More to do • Less respect • Resentment |
• Hold nerve and explain focus • Review progress • “We’ll do this once only to help out” • Judiciously defer commitments – “Sounds interesting, let me get back to you.” • Does the two years ‘Future You’ approve of ‘Now You’ saying “Yes”? |
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| (2/3) Risk | Impact of risk | Possible solutions and achieving self-efficacy | My notes and planning | 3) Brittleness |
• Over-commitment to a failing course • Disempowerment of other valid ideas |
• Consult others • Enforce regular routines which support highest priorities on self • Devote weekly time to the ‘plan-work-evaluate’ cycle • Devote 10 mins per day and week to score self vs goals set • Devote 10 mins per day to system thinking – document status, gaps, plan and progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3/3) Risk | Impact of risk | Possible solutions and achieving self-efficacy | My notes and planning | 4) Biased judgement |
• Overcommitment to a failing course • Confirmation bias • Self-serving illusions • Optimistic over-confidence |
• “How will I consult to be more effective?” • Engage in structured self-reflection by recording daily thoughts, impressions & questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5) Work avoidance | • Tough problems get tougher |
• Put time in diary for uninterrupted Hard and Focussed Priority work • Start with 30 mins per day |
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| 6) Going over the top |
• Stress levels are too high for too long • Poor decisions |
• ‘Go to the balcony’ and take stock from 50,000 feet • Work at recognising the point of diminishing returns • Stabilize the home front • Evaluate Wheel of Life |
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Sources: 1) The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins 2) Simon Walker, reflection and adaption