The first months of a CEO's tenure set expectations that are hard to reset later. We asked forty chief executives, appointed in the last five years, what they would do differently.
What they got right
- Listening widely before announcing changes.
- Making one or two visible, symbolic decisions early.
- Building a direct relationship with the largest shareholders.
What they regret
Most often, waiting too long to change the leadership team. Almost every CEO we spoke to wished they had acted on their instincts about people sooner.
I knew within sixty days who I needed around me. I waited a year to act on it.
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