You’ve just kicked off 2026 with a great new job as a team leader – congratulations!
Maybe you’re a seasoned pro, or maybe this is your first leap into leadership – whatever your experience, the first 90 days of your new role are critical. How you start sets the tone for your team, your impact and the environment you’re creating for success. We’ve seen leaders take on promotions; we even work with new leaders stepping into their first management role. It’s exciting, daunting and can be so overwhelming.
To ease the new leader jitters we’ve crafted our top 5 things to do in the first 90 days of your role. Nail these first steps, and you’re setting yourself and your team up for a year of growth, collaboration and achievement.
Run effective 1:1s
One-on-one meetings aren’t just a calendar obligation – they’re your chance to connect, listen and support each team member individually. Use this time to understand what motivates them, where they’re struggling and how you can help them succeed. Consistency is key here. Keep your meetings regular, come well-prepared and ensuring you’re building trust from day one and show your team that you’re invested in their growth.
Use the first couple 1:1s to get to know your team member on a more personal level, making sure there’s an even split on who does the talking.
Establish psychological safety
Teams thrive when people feel safe to speak up, take risks and make mistakes without fear of consequences. Early in your role, model vulnerability, encourage open dialogue and acknowledge contributions openly. Creating this environment isn’t optional. This type of team culture is the foundation for greater engagement, collaboration and innovation. Read our thought piece for a quick guide on how to build psychological safety.
Give, seek and receive feedback
Feedback is a two-way street. Be proactive in giving constructive, specific feedback making it safe and easy for your team to return the favour. Seek out insights on how you can improve your leadership too. Teams respect leaders who are open to learning and committed to mutual growth. We have an online module that gives a deeper understanding of how to structure giving, seeking and receiving feedback – check it out!
Get to know your team
Take the time to understand your team’s strengths, working styles and goals. Learn what energises them and what drains them. You’re not just building genuine relationships to be friendly. Really knowing the individuals in your team helps you align work to their strengths, delegate effectively and create a team that’s engaged, motivated and high performing. At Corporate Edge, we’re firm believers in ‘the first 15 minutes’, a time when leaders first arrive in the workplace to spend 15 minutes talking with their team to connect on a personal level.
Set the right expectations upfront
Clarity is your secret weapon. From day one, communicate what success looks like, what’s expected in terms of performance and behaviour and explain how decisions will be made. Clear expectations prevent confusion. Without this clarity, expect friction and misalignment. Give your team confidence that they’re aligned and working toward the same goals.
Your first 90 days matter. The actions you take now will ripple through your team’s culture, performance and engagement for months – even years – to come.
Ready to make the most of your first 90 days? Download our free 90 Days Checklist and get a step-by-step guide to hitting the ground running as a new leader.
