HBR Guides to Emotional Intelligence at Work Collection (5 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

Winning Over Your New Boss

by Lew McCreary

Getting a new boss can be fraught with anxiety and risk, often making it hard to see the opportunities fresh leadership will bring to you and your organization. You’ll have to come to terms with whatever unpredictable changes she unleashes. Don’t expect the new regime to resemble the old one. Leaders are often brought in to shake up the status quo, so you’ll want to make it clear right away that you’re a valuable contributor.

If you get a new boss by joining another organization, you’ll have no immediate worries about job security. But you will need to figure out the culture (and its politics), meet with and impress new colleagues and direct reports, and above all create a successful partnership with ...