inluminent

It’s no secret that I’m starting a new job in less than 2 weeks. And because of that big change in my life, I’m very very happy and excited. I’m also looking for as many tips and pieces of advice that I can find. That’s why I’m so happy to find this article:

18 Ways to Take Charge — Fast, at FastCompany.com

This article features 18 great tactics and links to more information:

1. Begin your transition before you start the job.

2. Travel widely within your organization, listen carefully, and look for patterns in everything you see and hear.

3. As you ask questions, look for the rising stars whom you want as part of your team.

4. Identify the kind of people who will flourish in the environment you want to establish.

5. After you’ve identified the ideal individual, identify the ideal group.

6. Acknowledge what you don’t know. Identify those around you are the experts and don’t be afraid to lean on them.

7. Don’t be afraid to listen to people who disagree.

8. But clean house if you have to.

9. Establish a way to communicate with — and listen to — your entire team.

10. Don’t trash your predecessor, but don’t be shy about promoting your own agenda.

11. Settle on a few major priorities. You can’t fix everything at once.

12. Meet the customers. Balance the big picture vision with-front line views.

13. Target a few early wins. Momentum counts, and nothing succeeds like success.

14. Keep an eye on the clock. Faster is almost always better.

15. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but be sure to fix them faster than you make them.

16. Be wary of reckless re-engineering.

17. Don’t be afraid to look for ideas in unusual places.

18. Finally, ask yourself who do you really want to prevail, you or your organization?

I love it. One great collection of tips and advice, and from one of my favorite print publications, but found online. I just got the December issue in the mail but haven’t had time to even crack the cover… you know that’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. If you’re not a subscriber to FastCompany, and you enjoy reading about business at all, I’d recommend you subscribe. It’s like reading Good to Great once a month with new chapters added.