The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded

Michael D. Watkins's wealth of experience, coupled with his extensive body of work, has significantly contributed to his ideas presented in The First 90 Days. His journey through academia and consulting, paired with his dedication to understanding leadership transitions, has laid the foundation for this work. Originally from Canada, Watkins began his academic journey by studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Later, he studied Business and Law at Western University. He completed his education with a Ph.D. in Decision Sciences from Harvard University. Through his multifaceted career as a teacher, writer, and thinker, Watkins has made an impact on the fields of leadership, negotiation, and organizational change. He refers to his own experience throughout the book, adhering to the rhetorical category of “ethos” which aims to demonstrate the speaker or writer’s authority. The First 90 Days represents the culmination of Watkins's practical experiences and research.

The fusion of his academic background with real-world consulting enabled him to test his ideas, ensuring that they were not just theoretically sound but also effective in practical situations. By observing leaders grappling with transition challenges in various industries, Watkins was able to enhance his framework, making it adaptable to a wide array of scenarios and providing a comprehensive approach.