B8: Setting expectations in a new role
Use when: Your first weeks with a new boss, team, or scope.
The questions
- What are the three outcomes you'll judge my success on in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- Which stakeholders matter most, and what does each care about from this role?
- What are the unwritten rules here: what gets rewarded, what gets penalized, and what pitfalls should I avoid?
- Where do you want me to move fast and decide, and where do you want alignment first?
- How should we handle surprises: how do you want risks raised, and how often should we re-calibrate priorities?
Research basis
Watkins 2013; CIPD 2026a; Schein 2013; Edmondson 1999
Get the full field guide
The complete PDF covers 24 situations, 153 questions, and the four listening moves (reflect, summarize, validate, clarify). Download The Questions Leaders Ask field guide.
Workshop
Want your leaders practicing these out loud, with their team in the room? See how Kestryl Edge workshops work.