You have just been hired as the vice president for development at a major public university. You have great experience and you have done very well but you are being asked to come in and be a change agent and build a "best-in" class shop. This presentation offers tips to help you get off to a great start as a new leader.

1. Tips For a Successful Start
For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

2.  #1: Listen & Learn
Great leaders are exceptional listeners.
Don’t try to come in and impress everybody
with your knowledge. Let it come to you.
One of my favorite expressions is that you
“command respect, you don’t demand it.”
Ask questions, get to know the culture and
the environment, and get to know your
colleagues and team members.
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

3.  #2: Communicate
Be known as a great communicator. Set-
up individual meetings with your team
members. Set up group meetings. Be
known as a leader who communicates
well and keeps your team well informed.
Ask the team members for their input
and recommendations for improvements
within the department.
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

4.  #3: Establish a 90 Day Plan
Don’t try to come in and change the world
in the first few months. It’s exhausting and
counterproductive. Try to establish some
reasonable goals for your first 90 days. You
are in this for the long haul and this is a
marathon. You want results and you want
them pretty quickly but don’t force things.
Articulate your short term goals and make
sure you are working towards achieving
them. This really helps manage
expectations.
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

5.  #4: Look for An Early Success
At the same time, though, if you can have
an early victory that will help establish
yourself as a person who brings results.
And the more you can generate results, the
more successful you will be! Producing an
early success is not a necessity but it you
can produce a success story, something to
showcase to your team and the Board, it
will help reinforce to the organization that
they made the right hire in you.
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

6.  #5: Manage Up
This is an overlooked tactic in establishing
a good start at your new organization. You
need a good relationship with your boss.
Get to know what your boss’ work style,
how often does your boss want to meet, and
what does your boss expect in your work
performance. You report to the boss and
you need to make sure you are operating in
a manner that your boss appreciates. A
good working relationship with your boss
will make your life so much easier!
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)

7.  #6: Breathe
Make sure you breathe. You will be in a
hurry to get everything done immediately.
Everybody will want your time. Everybody
will want to meet you and talk with you.
Take some time to think, reflect and make
decisions. Block time on your calendar just
for you! And remember that you won’t be
able to accomplish everything for
everybody in the first ninety days. Follow
these tips and you will get off to a
remarkable start as the new leader!!
Tips For a Successful Start For a New Leader
By Matt Kupec (mattkupec.org)