Aloha Friend !

A leader left me a message this week that I can’t shake:
“Everyone clapped when I got the title. But now the applause has faded, and I just feel stretched.”

That’s the truth most don’t say out loud. The stretch between who you were and who you need to become. Between the excitement others see in you and the insecurity you carry inside.

Every year, one in four leaders transitions into a new role. A third of them come from the outside. Some thrive. Many stumble. Why? Because the first 90 days aren’t a honeymoon. They’re the crucible.

🔍 Explore

The paradox of a new role is this: you’re expected to deliver clarity at the very moment you know the least. This is when leaders either pretend and perform, or anchor themselves in authenticity.

🛠️ Design

Authenticity in transition doesn’t mean oversharing every fear. It means leading from values, not from a mask. The updated First 90 Days reminds us: it’s not about quick wins for applause, but early moves that build credibility, connection, and alignment.

From my coaching, the leaders who stretch without breaking focus on:

• Weekly reflection: noticing what came from strength vs. fear.

• Listening in the first 30 days like survival depends on it.

• Saying out loud what they don’t know yet.

• Reframing performance as progress.

• Practicing emotional intelligence as the thermostat for the team.

• Building a support system — mentors, peers, or coaches.

🚀 Act

This week, if you’ve stepped into a new role:
Write down which situation you’re really in — startup, turnaround, realignment, or sustain. Share it with your boss and your team. Watch if they nod… or push back.

If you’re placing someone into a new role:
Don’t just hand them the title. Hand them a runway. Ask, “What would make your first 90 days a foundation, not a fog?”

🪞 Reflect

Where in your leadership right now are you tempted to perform instead of progress?
And what one step could you take this week to anchor yourself in authenticity?

✨ Subscriber-Only Bonus Tip

Pair your first 90 days with a “Day 91 Plan.” Ask yourself: What rhythm, what relationships, and what results do I want visible by then? That one question turns the crucible into a catalyst.

📖 Want the full story + tools?

This week’s blog post expands on all of this:

👉 Read it on LimitlessLeader.blog