I had a job. But no roadmap.

I still remember my first day at a new job after business school.

I had just graduated from my very expensive MBA program. I had moved to a new city. New apartment. New industry. New title. One of the largest tech firms in the world.

I was excited. And anxious. I walked into headquarters, met the assistant, received my laptop, filled out onboarding paperwork, and sat through online trainings.

A few hours later, it was lunchtime.

No one came to get me.

No welcome lunch.
No “let’s introduce you around.”
No structured transition.

It became clear very quickly: I had a job. But no roadmap.

And that was the moment I learned something critical:

No one is responsible for onboarding you into impact.
You are.

Within weeks, I started setting up coffee chats. Mapping decision-makers. Identifying who held institutional knowledge. Taking meticulous notes. Building my own process manuals.

But more importantly, I learned how decisions were really made.
Who influenced outcomes.
What was rewarded.
What was quietly punished.

And I made a decision early: I would not just be competent. I would be credible.

That experience shaped how I approach every role and what I now teach ambitious professionals:

You need a 100-day strategy, whether you are:
• Starting a new job
• Stepping into a promotion
• Leading a new initiative
• Or resetting your reputation

The first 100 days aren’t about onboarding.

They’re about positioning.

In those early days, people are quietly deciding:

Can I trust your judgment?
Do you understand how value is created here?
Do you make my life easier — or harder?

Even if your company has a formal onboarding program, your trajectory is still your responsibility.

You need a playbook.

In your first 30 days, focus on:

Knowledge
Understand the systems, revenue drivers, clients, cultural norms, and political dynamics.

Action
Execute the fundamentals of your role well and visibly.

Behavior
Be curious. Be prepared. Overcommunicate early. Ask smart questions.

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Last week in Part 2 (Interviewing With Influence), one insight stood out to many participants:

If you’re aiming for a Director role, you should already be functioning like one.

If you’re pivoting into consulting, you should already be solving problems like a consultant.

If you want to transition from academia into a commercial role, you must begin thinking commercially now.

One participant put it beautifully:

Exactly. Because interviews don’t create readiness. They reveal it.

But here’s the next level: Once you land the role or begin positioning for it, the first 100 days determine whether your narrative becomes reality.

It’s one thing to sound like a Director in an interview. It’s another to build trust like one.

That’s what Part 3 of my Career Strategy Course Series is all about. I’ll walk through:

• How to design a strategic 100-day plan
• How to build credibility quickly (without overperforming yourself into burnout)
• How to create early wins that expand your scope
• How to avoid the credibility traps that stall high-performers

Join us: Driving Impact in Your First 100 Days
📅 Sunday, February 22 at 4pm - 5:30pm EST

With intention,
Oyin Bayode

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Intentional Moves Newsletter — Insights to inspire your next intentional move