The first 90 days in a new leadership role are not about proving yourself. They are about resisting the urge to.

These photos are a real blast from my past. When it comes to surfing, let us just say I spent more time in the washing machine than on top of the wave 😊

But something has always stayed with me about the way surfers find their balance. When they wipe out, they do not fight it. They hold their breath, let the wave pass, and get back up. The first 90 days can feel a lot like that.

Many of the organisations I work with allocate coaching to leaders stepping into larger roles. And what I see, almost without exception, is the same pattern play out.

The first few weeks, the boundaries hold. Then something shifts. The pressure to show up, deliver and secure some quick wins kicks in. The diary fills up and strategic thinking gets pushed aside.

The leaders who navigate this well are the ones with the self awareness to catch the pattern early. To pause long enough to reflect on whether their actions are aligned with their overall purpose and the company’s direction. It does not need to mean blocking out big chunks of time in the diary. Often it is the small, consistent moments that make the difference. They choose how they react rather than simply react. They get on top of the wave instead of being caught in the washing machine, tumbled around by every breaking wave.

Sometimes, within coaching sessions, we work together to create a buffer zone before the calendar takes over.

If you have already started pushing aside the habits that were meant to keep you grounded, that is not necessarily a sign you are too busy. It may be a sign you need them most right now.

Three questions worth sitting with:

◆ What does success in this role genuinely look like, beyond the pressure to prove yourself?

◆ Which unique strengths or perspectives can only you bring to help your team succeed, and how can you stay connected to the potential they saw when they hired you?

◆ What routines or boundaries will help you stay thoughtful rather than simply busy?

Sometimes the biggest performance gains come from creating just enough space to think before catching the next wave.