What are the three phases?

Listen, decide, and set the rhythm, each with its own checklist and progress bar across the first ninety days.

Yes, to one page. A blank PDF version is on this page as well.

First ninety days as a manager: a free interactive template you can print

Weeks 1 to 4Understand, change almost nothing 0/5

Met every person one to one and asked what is working and what is notAsked each: what should I know about how you like to work?Written down what I was told, verbatim, without acting on it yetAsked my own manager what a good version of this role looks like in six monthsEstablished which decisions are mine, in writing

Weeks 5 to 8Install three basics 0/3

A recurring one to one with each person, their agenda firstA visible record of what people committed to and by whenA stated standard, with an example, for one type of recurring work

Weeks 9 to 12Start producing through others 0/3

Handed each person one real decision where their answer standsDid not take it back the first time it went differently than I would have chosenFound one person outside my reporting line I can ask for advice

Why the first month is for understanding

82 percent of people entering management had no formal management training. CMI with YouGov, October 2023, 4,500+ UK workers and managers.

You were selected for personal output. You are now measured on other people's, and every instinct that earned you the job works against you.

The most common regret is moving faster than this in the first month.

The second most common is delegating the task and keeping the decision.

What you owe each person: regular time that is theirs, a clear picture of what good looks like, feedback close to the work, and a visible path. None of it requires training, budget or a personality you do not have. It requires deciding that this is the job now.