The first ninety days as a manager are mostly reaction. These prompts are a way to get ten minutes of reflection into a week that does not offer any. Take one a week; write for five minutes; do not edit.
Weeks one to four — orientation
The early questions are about noticing, not fixing.
- What surprised me about this role this week?
- What am I still doing that belongs to my old job?
- Who on my team do I understand least?
- What did I say yes to that I should have questioned?
Weeks five to eight — calibration
By now you have patterns. These prompts help you see them.
- Where am I holding on too tightly?
- What decision did I avoid this week, and why?
- What feedback have I been carrying but not delivering?
Weeks nine to twelve — direction
The last stretch is about choosing the leader you are becoming.
- What kind of manager am I becoming by default?
- What is one thing my team would say has improved?
- What do I want to be true of this team in six months?
You will not remember most of these weeks. You will remember what you wrote down about them.