Aim for the right goals and strategies to gain early wins

Focus on the priorities of the business
You want to achieve early wins in things that matter to your organization. Therefore, use the priorities that have been defined by your boss and other stakeholders to guide your actions. For example, if the objectives of the business are to achieve double-digit growth and reduce product defects, then launch projects that target these focal points.

Identify and support behavioral change in your organization
The behavior of employees determines whether you achieve your goals in the allotted time. Therefore, identify and work on changing dysfunctional behavioral patterns such as lack of focus, discipline, urgency, teamwork, and innovation. Create a clear vision of the behavior you want people to have adopted by the end of your tenure in the job. Then formulate a plan of how achieving early wins will lead to this behavioral change.

Adjust your strategy to suit the organization’s culture
If your organization considers a win to be an individual achievement, then pursue an early win as an individual. But if the organization prefers teamwork in the pursuit of glory, seek early wins by leading a team to develop a new product or process. Knowing the culture is important especially if you’ve been promoted from outside the organization.

Promote change agents who’re willing to help your agenda
Identify employees in your new team who have the drive and insight to advance your agenda. Appoint them to lead key projects that are geared toward accomplishing early wins.

Get early wins using positive rather than manipulative strategies
Accomplish early wins by exemplifying the kind of positive behavior you want to instill in your team. This will work better in the long term than relying on punitive, manipulative, or underhanded tactics to get results.