Starting Strong: How to Navigate Your First 90 Days as a New Leader with the BRAVER framework
Welcome to We Brave Leaders.
Most leaders wait until they step into a bigger role to start navigating their first 90 days. The smarter move is start planning from the moment you apply.
50% of all leaders will fail within their first 90 days. This blog is all about making sure you’re not one of them.
My proposition is simple. I’m here to help rising leaders, like you, prepare for AND step into your first 90 days of your new role with clarity, confidence and consistency.
Those 90 days will vanish quickly. There’s not a moment to lose.
Nail your next role. Book time with me here. and let’s talk about your success.
A new role means new beginnings
Every January the same things happen.
The pavements are filled with joggers in shiny new shoes.
Gyms across the country are filled with folk with determined new year resolutions.
And according to Glassdoor it’s a key time when many of us decide to change jobs.
That period of post-Christmas reflection, end of performance year bonuses. Whatever the motivation, for many of us we’ll be preparing for or switching up to a new role.
And this season of articles is written for you. Because the first 90 days are a critical time for everyone switching roles. When there is no time to lose. When every day counts.
When you’ll be asked to be braver than perhaps at any other point in your career.
Stepping up and why the first 90 days are critical to long term success
Stepping up to a new leadership role is a big deal. Exciting, but also overwhelming. That journey from being a master in one role, to a relative novice all over again. The urge to prove and live up all the expectations created through the recruitment process.
Those first 90 days are critical. They set the tone for your leadership style, how you’re seen, how people want to work with you, your impact.
Some people leave the 90 days to chance. Try hard and see what happens. The reality is 90 days goes by in a flash. There are opportunities, being the new child, that are unique to those 90 days.
You don’t need to have all the answers from day one. What you need is a framework to focus your energy and navigate this transition with confidence. That’s where the BRAVER framework comes in.
Introducing the BRAVER Framework?
BRAVER is a step-by-step approach designed to help leaders grow and thrive, even in challenging situations. It stands for:
Build Relationships.
Connect with your team, peers, and stakeholders to establish trust and collaboration.
Reframe Challenges.
Shift your mindset from fear and self-doubt to seeing opportunities for growth.
Act with energy.
Stay flexible and open as you navigate a new environment.
Visualize Success.
Identify and focus on small, meaningful wins that build confidence.
Energise and Empower Others.
Lead by inspiring and supporting your team to reach their potential.
Resilience & Reflection.
Take time to assess what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve.
Let’s dive into how you can use each piece of the BRAVER framework to make the most of your first 90 days as a new leader.
How to Use BRAVER in Your First 90 Days
1. Build Relationships
The temptation in the first 9 days is to solve a problem, prove your worth. The better priority is building trust. In most organisations, resources and knowledge are held by different people. Relationships, developing meaningful connections, are the foundation of your 90-day strategy.
How to do it:
- Schedule one-on-one meetings with your team and stakeholders.
- Be curious—ask about their challenges, goals, and what they need from you.
- Show genuine appreciation for the work they’ve already done.
- Recognizing their efforts builds goodwill.
- Be approachable. Let people know they can come to you with ideas or concerns.
- Be generous with knowledge you bring from your previous roles.
2. Reframe Challenges
Leadership often comes with imposter syndrome—that little voice in your head that says, “You’re not ready for this.” Reframing is about turning those doubts into growth opportunities.
How to do it:
- When facing a tough situation, ask yourself: What can I learn from this?
- Use self-coaching tools, including Positive Intelligence techniques, to quiet negative self-talk.
- Acknowledge your feelings without letting them define you. Instead of “I’m not good enough,” try “I’m learning as I go, and that’s okay.”
3. Adapt to Change
Every new role comes with its own culture, challenges, and surprises. Adaptability is key to thriving in this transition.
How to do it:
- Observe before acting.
- Take time to understand the organization’s culture and unwritten rules.
- Be flexible.
- If something doesn’t work as planned, adjust your approach without losing momentum.
- Create a clear 30-60-90 day plan to focus on learning, building relationships, and delivering results.
4. Visualize Success
The first 90 days can feel like a marathon, but small wins make the journey manageable. Visualizing success is about identifying achievable goals that build confidence—for you and your team.
How to do it:
- Focus on quick wins. What’s one thing you can improve or accomplish that will make an immediate impact?
- Share those wins. Celebrate with your team to build morale and momentum.
- Use visualization techniques. Imagine yourself succeeding in challenging situations to build confidence before they happen.
- Research shows visualising succeeding in a challenging situation to train the brain to perform better when the real moment comes
5. Energise and Empower Others
Your success as a leader isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you help others thrive. Empowering your team creates a positive ripple effect.
How to do it:
- Delegate responsibilities to build trust and give your team ownership.
- Coach your team members by asking thoughtful questions instead of always providing answers.
- Recognise their achievements. A simple “Great job!” can go a long way in motivating others.
- Recognise their contribution to helping you through your first 90 days, a little humility to acknowledge what you’re learning and how you’re developing sets the scene for a culture of continuous improvement and development.
6. Reflect Regularly
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Taking time to reflect ensures you’re always growing and improving.
How to do it:
- At the end of each week, write down three things: what went well, what didn’t, and what you learned.
- Ask for feedback from your team and peers. Their perspective can provide valuable insights.
- Revisit the BRAVER framework often to stay aligned with your goals and values.
Despite all this, there are some common pitfalls to avoid
Even with the BRAVER framework, there are a few traps to watch out for:
Trying to do too much too soon.
Focus on a few key priorities rather than trying to tackle everything.
Neglecting relationships.
Don’t get so caught up in tasks that you forget to connect with people. It’s those connections that’ll help you solve the challenges that aren’t entirely within your control.
Avoiding feedback.
It’s better to seek out constructive criticism than to let small issues fester. Getting the right balance in those first 90 days isn’t easy.
Final Thoughts
Your first 90 days as a leader are your chance to set the foundation for success. By following the BRAVER framework, you’ll focus on what truly matters: building relationships, quieting self-doubt, staying adaptable, and empowering your team.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up, stay curious, and keep learning.
So, take a deep breath. You’ve got this—and the BRAVER framework is here to guide you every step of the way.
Become a Braver Leader
We live in times that are asking you to navigate uncertainty, make tough decisions, resolve challenges quickly and with confidence. We need Braver Leaders.
As a professional coach with years of experience, I help rising leaders prepare for and nail their first 90 days, become braver, build confidence, and navigate the challenges of leadership with clarity and resilience.
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And for yet more resources to help you on your journey to be a Braver Leader, check out my website here.
