Answers to this question appeared in a recent article on the Harvard Business Review website. The article also recommended the most appropriate forms of behaviour in these situations.
1. Don't suggest an immediate strategic change
New top managers usually arrive full of energy and enthusiasm for their own vision of how the company or its part should function. However, before you begin to force any changes, first learn as much as possible about the new environment.
Find out why the changes you are considering have not yet been implemented in the company. Somebody has probably attempted to make changes and you need to know how and why it ended. You should only make major and strategic changes after several months.
2. Don't make too many changes at once
As with visions and strategies, nor should you hurry with long-term decisions. In the first few months, make only interim decisions so that individual aspects may be changed once you have more information.
3. Don't talk about how things were done better in your previous jobs
You would thus bury even good ideas that would otherwise succeed. Only answer questions about your past activities if someone asks you.
Yes, you were hired for your knowledge and experience. But your new subordinates don't care about what you did elsewhere. They assume you will not immediately criticise them without first becoming familiar with the company and its work.
4. Don't prefer things outside the business
After taking up a senior management role, focus on the people in the new company and try to obtain as much information as possible so that you are quickly put in the picture.
You can focus on media and other contacts outside the company later.
5. Don't play solo
At the beginning, of course you will not know who to turn to for advice or help. But that does not mean you have to do everything yourself. You would only give the impression that you don't trust your staff and deprive yourself of important information they can give you.
Set up a team of people who will help you get to know the company in the first few months.
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