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Creating the Momentum for Your Success | John Rex, Former CFO, Microsoft, NA

Creating the Momentum for Your Success | John Rex, Former CFO, Microsoft, NA

As a new leader, it’s easy to come into a role with preconceived notions about what needs to be done, but it’s crucial to take a step back and listen to those already in the trenches. That’s where conducting a listening tour comes in. By asking stakeholders, business partners, and team members what’s going well and what’s not going well, a new leader can gain valuable insights and identify patterns that can inform their strategy moving forward.

But it’s not enough to simply listen. Former Microsoft NA CFO John Rex recommends formulating initial thoughts on how to address the opportunities and problems identified during the listening tour. One way to do this is by identifying quick wins – those low-hanging fruit that can be tackled with minimal cost or difficulty while still providing value. And don’t forget to leverage your unique expertise or genius to identify quick wins that can establish early credibility and create momentum for success over time.

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So, new leaders, take heed: conducting a listening tour and identifying quick wins can set you on the path to success in your first 30, 60, or 90 days. By taking the time to listen and act strategically, you can establish yourself as a leader who’s not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get things done.

908: Back to School | John Rex, CFO (emeritus), Microsoft NA

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Filed Under: Strategy Tagged With: business partners, cost, credibility, first 30 days, first 60 days, first 90 days, leadership role, listening tour, momentum, new leader, opportunities, problems, quick wins, stakeholders, team members, two by two matrix, unique expertise, value

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