During our research, we asked leaders which actions they rated are the most important for getting off to the right start. Topping the list were five items:

1. Absorb information.

2. Define the company’s challenges.

3. Establish credibility and win employees’ trust.

4. Access the senior management team.

5. Prepare yourself emotionally.

You cannot possibly have enough insight yet to craft a detailed plan or an in-depth strategy. But you should certainly have a clear idea of what you believe, the key issues that you are going to be focusing on, and some form of organizing framework for the key actions you will want to take.

So the art is to find the right balance between setting a direction and keeping practical.

Finding the right balance between creating a compelling picture of where you plan to lead the organization and not becoming prematurely locked into a plan of action is one of the most important ways to make the most of your first hundred days. Think not about developing your strategic plan but about crafting your strategic agenda.

Establishing your credibility takes a variety of skills, primarily: having a sound strategic agenda, being on top of the details of the business, listening and learning from your boss or board members, communicating clearly, building a strong and committed management team, and maintaining a certain amount of humility.