When taking over from a predecessor: 1, Get involved in operations immediately. Get in front of your subordinates. Standing back merely results in the concentration of authority and power in the hands of the very people most likely to lose from the change. 2, While staying active, avoid early changes. The organization needs time to learn to accept direction from you. You need time to learn how it responds to your direction. 3, Bring in several of your own people to hold key positions. You’ll offend only a few by doing this and your new people will be more responsive to your direction and goals. 4, When you make changes (including staff cutbacks or any other type of change), do it all at once. The wounds caused by the change will be forgotten more quickly than if you spread it over a period of time. Taking too long permits people to brood about it.