The Myth of "Fit": Unlock New Leader Success with High-Impact Onboarding

We all hear about executives who are abruptly fired from high-profile roles. These derailments harm the company, and damage the Leader's career and personal life.

Why do New Leaders really fail? Although companies typically select qualified candidates, many blame "lack of fit" as the main cause of their eventual failure. This book offers a different perspective - even with a great hire, fit can (and must) be engineered by both the company and the New Leader. It's time to discard the notion of one New Leader being the only good fit. More than one Leader - or kind of Leader - has what it takes to be successful in a role. And it's everyone's job to help them.

New Leaders require resources, structure, and capabilities to succeed. In this book readers will learn how to:
- Demystify the notion of New Leader fit.
- Ensure New Leader role clarity.
- Identify and reconcile common onboarding paradoxes.
- Align New Leaders using knowledge, relationships, and feedback.
- Prepare New Leaders to effectively drive organizational change.
- Build internal partnerships to strengthen their onboarding and drive results.

This book provides decision-making and problem-solving tools for anyone who wants to improve the onboarding experience, including: New Leaders, HR Partners, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Coaches, VCs and business owners/founders.

Linda Reese is the Managing Partner of Leader OnBoarding, a firm that partners with companies and VCs to manage the risk associated with hiring and promoting executives. Her pioneering approach to aligning New Leaders includes the development of LevelSet: Early Feedback and the Culture Snapshot. These tools help New Leaders achieve greater role clarity, to get and stay on track. Since 1990, Linda has been a practicing coach and consultant, working with New Leaders in over 40 companies in healthcare, technology, financial services, manufacturing, higher education, and retail sectors. Linda holds a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Illinois (Chicago).

Stephanie Henderson is Assessment Practice Leader at Leader OnBoarding, with over 25 years of business experience, the last 10 specializing in executive transitions. After a variety of financial services leadership roles, Stephanie offers expertise in corporate practices, and a deep understanding of organizational behavior. Stephanie co-developed LevelSet: Early Feedback, Culture Snapshot, and the Talent Integration Predictor. Stephanie received a master’s degree in Organization and Management from Capella University, obtained SPHR certification, and is a qualified user of multiple assessment and consulting tools.