The First Meeting Checklist

20 Prompts to handle that first scary meeting where you are officially "The Boss."

1. I want to start by acknowledging that this is a change for all of us.

2. My job is no longer to be the best engineer/specialist; my job is to help you be the best.

3. Here are the 3 core values that matter most to me...

4. Here is my 'User Manual'—how I like to communicate and how I make decisions.

5. I am going to make mistakes. I need your help to spot them.

6. What is the one thing you are most worried I might change?

7. What is the one thing you hope I don't change?

8. I promise to always be transparent with you about what I know and what I don't.

9. I want to schedule 1:1s with each of you to learn about your career goals.

10. I trust the work you have been doing; I’m not here to micromanage.

11. Here is how I prefer to receive bad news (hint: fast and direct).

12. My calendar is open to you; here is how to book time with me.

13. Our team's immediate priority for this month is X.

14. I view my primary role as 'Chief Blocker Remover'.

15. How can we make our meetings more efficient starting today?

16. I want us to have psychological safety—no question is 'stupid' here.

17. I will be spending the first two weeks mostly listening and learning.

18. How do you prefer to receive recognition? Publicly or privately?

19. Let's define what 'Done' and 'Success' look like for us.

20. Thank you for your patience as I transition into this role.