The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

About the Book

Title: The First 90 Days
Author: Michael D. Watkins
Genre: Business, Career, Leadership, Productivity
Year of Publication: 2003
Pages: 304

Summary: What the Book Is About

This book is about transition. It explains why your first three months in a new job matter so much. The author shows how to learn the real rules of a new workplace, build trust, and choose smart priorities. You also learn how to plan early wins that fit your situation, instead of copying what worked in your last job. The main idea is simple: if you start with clear goals, strong learning habits, and good relationships, you can become effective faster and with less stress.

“Accelerate your learning.”

What you will mainly learn from the book

• How to learn fast in a new role

• How to build early wins without rushing

• How to manage people, expectations, and office politics

• How to avoid common “new job” mistakes

English Level

• CEFR level: B2

You can read it at B2 because it uses business vocabulary, common leadership phrases, and longer paragraphs—but the ideas are explained clearly.

• Learners preparing for IELTS 6.0–6.5

If you can understand news articles, workplace emails, and most podcasts on familiar topics, you are in a good place for this book.

Signs you are ready (quick checklist):

• You can read a business article and understand the main argument

• You know common workplace verbs (manage, align, prioritize, delegate)

• You can follow examples and frameworks without translating every sentence

Why This Book Helps English Learners

This is not a “textbook English” book. It’s real professional language—useful for interviews, meetings, and emails. With the Fluently app, you can turn reading into active practice instead of passive reading.

Skills you develop

• Reading: you learn to follow structured arguments and frameworks

• Vocabulary: leadership, onboarding, strategy, performance, teams

• Idioms & fixed phrases: “early wins,” “stakeholders,” “get up to speed”

• Grammar in context: conditionals (“If you do X, you will…”), cause/effect, advice language

Words to notice (starter list)

• transition

• stakeholder

• alignment

• credibility

• momentum

• diagnose

• priorities

• constraints

• expectations

• influence

Estimated unique words

• About 9,000 unique words (estimate)
  This number can change by edition and counting method, but it’s a helpful target for planning your learning.

How to study while you read (simple routine)

1. Highlight 5–10 useful phrases per chapter

2. Write 2 short summaries (2–3 sentences) in your own words

3. Use one phrase in a work message or a practice email

4. Review your saved words weekly in the Fluently app

User Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I started a new manager role and this book helped me plan my first weeks. The frameworks are easy to use, and the examples feel real.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It’s practical and clear. Some parts feel detailed, but that helped me slow down and make a better plan.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I wish I had read this before my last job change. It helped me understand stakeholders and set better early priorities.”

Average Rating: 4.7 / 5

Did You Know?

1. The updated and expanded edition was released in 2013, about ten years after the first publication.
2. Many readers use the book as a “first 90 days” checklist when they change jobs or get promoted.
3. The book is published under Harvard Business Review’s publishing line for business readers.

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

If you want stories and tools with a similar goal—becoming effective faster and working better with people—try these:

• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There — Marshall Goldsmith

• The New One Minute Manager — Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson

• Crucial Conversations — Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler