Do Not Be in a Hurry

One of the greatest pitfalls of new leaders is the temptation to take on too much, too fast.

It is natural to want others to notice how effective you can be, how confident in your new role, and how deserving you are of the new position. But counter-intuitively, now is the time to slow down and plan carefully. Rushing headlong risks failure. Performance management is a process.

Think about what is most important to the business. Plan how this move could be accomplished. Communicate your plan and garner support through the organization. Ensure that your performance management process measures what is most important to you and your organization.

All the while, you need to understand that change is difficult for most people—it threatens the status quo and presents unwelcome risks for many. It takes time to build a supportive coalition and time to prove the benefits of change.

Take a deep breath do not be in a hurry. Successful leaders disregard short-term ego needs and look at the long-term goals supported by a fair and consistent performance management process.