Your First 60 Days as a Leader

Moving into a leadership role means every interaction matters more than it used to. The way you engage with your boss, your team, and key stakeholders shapes relationships, sets expectations, and lays the foundation for results. Your interactions in the first 60 days are critical negotiations, and the way you handle them shapes everything that follows.

In Your First 60 Days as a Leader, Harvard educator Eric McNulty introduces a four-step interest-based negotiation approach developed with Harvard colleagues. You'll learn how to navigate your most critical relationships, working from shared interests toward agreed-upon directions, outcomes, and milestones. The report starts before day one, guiding you through preparation and relationship building across teams, peers, and stakeholders. You'll also find guidance on using AI as a thought partner and sidebars with specific considerations for wherever you are in your leadership journey.

• Understand the difference between leading and managing
• Apply the interest-based negotiation framework to align expectations
• Navigate the differing power dynamics between stakeholders
• Use AI to prepare for challenging scenarios and develop contingency plans
• Build accountability and momentum starting before day one