Right From The Start: Taking Charge In A New Leadership Role

Ciampa, an independent consultant, and Watkins, a Harvard Business School associate professor, advise three key missions for new leaders: Create momentum; master the ability to learn, convey a vision, and build coalitions; and know and manage yourself well. A fast start is especially crucial. In fact, they say, the most important period starts with the recruitment or interview process and runs through the first six months in a new role. Right from the Start provides plenty of real-life examples of successes and failures, in everything from building coalitions to changing corporate culture. The stories tend to suffer sometimes because the executives remain anonymous. Nonetheless, the book is instructive for business people assuming new management roles. --Dan Ring

Product Description

"This book can help the recently promoted cope with those frightening career moments that arise as soon as you get what you're after." -BookPage

Whether you are succeeding a much-admired boss or charged with implementing sweeping, potentially unsettling change initiatives, a new role is fraught with obstacles. To ensure that your first steps in a new job will lead to enduring success, Right from the Start lays out an action-oriented framework to follow during the early months of a transition. Dan Ciampa and Michael D. Watkins prepare you for the often-treacherous task of navigating an organization's strategy, politics, and culture so that you can smoothly and effectively get to work on your new agenda. Right from the Start combines this tactical advice with absorbing profiles of CEOs, COOs, and EVPs who candidly discuss their experiences--the successes and the failures--with transitioning to a new leadership role.

Also recommend the popular new manager's book "The Leader's Guide: 15 Essential Skills."


Wish I had this book 12 years ago   December 5, 1999
Robert (Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Twelve years ago I began work as a department manager for a medium sized (150 people) privately held service company working directly for the president and chief owner. I had mixed success. Reading this book and looking backwards, I can see where several pieces of its concise, direct, and practical advise would have made this experience a resounding success rather than a mediocre one. (I did survive the 3 year period. Being 12 years older wouldn't have hurt either!) I recognize both several of my successes and several of my failures in the reading. I borrowed the book from a library, but I think I will buy it for my permanent collection. Well worth a read! Even though it is addressed to the second fiddle to a CEO, I think it would benefit any person in a leadership role, even a volunteer one.


Excellent practical guide for anyone in a new job   June 10, 1999
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I found Right from the Start to be an invaluable resource for anyone taking a new job. Although it was written for top managers hired from outside companies, most of the lessons can be applied by managers at all levels, including those who are making internal moves. The book is intensely practical, offering hands-on guidance for succeeding in a new position. The advice about how to get early wins, learn, and build supportive coalitions is particularly valuable.