---
title: "The Relationships You Need to Build in Your First 60 Days as a New CEO"
description: "Learn who to talk to, what to listen for, and why most new CEOs get this wrong."
author: "Libby Morgan"
section: vetrepreneurs
published: 2026-10-04T13:31:16.124511+00:00
canonical: https://valorandventures.media/article/013a91f4-a4f8-461f-8527-ce21b3fd78d9
publisher: "Valor & Ventures Media"
source: "Entrepreneur"
source_url: https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-relationships-new-ceos-must-form-in-their-first-60-days/505010
access: free
---

# The Relationships You Need to Build in Your First 60 Days as a New CEO

*Learn who to talk to, what to listen for, and why most new CEOs get this wrong.*

## Executive Summary

Newly appointed chief executive officers face a critical and highly sensitive window during their first two months to establish the foundational relationships necessary for long-term organizational stability. In an analysis published by the business outlet *Entrepreneur*, contributor Libby Morgan examines this pivotal onboarding phase, offering a strategic framework designed to guide incoming leaders through their transition. The report emphasizes that a successful executive integration depends heavily on identifying key stakeholders, cultivating active listening habits, and avoiding the relational missteps that frequently compromise new leadership during the critical 60-day mark. According to the *Entrepreneur* report, a primary challenge for any incoming chief executive is determining exactly which internal and external relationships to prioritize during the initial weeks of their tenure. Morgan emphasizes that leaders must establish a clear, structured plan for who to talk to, advising them to look beyond the immediate board of directors and executive suite. By proactively connecting with middle management, frontline employees, and key external partners, a new CEO can map out the informal power dynamics and communication channels within the company, thereby building trust across different tiers of the organization. In addition to identifying key organizational players, the outlet highlights the critical importance of understanding what to listen for during these initial conversations. Rather than using the first two months to issue top-down directives or announce sweeping structural overhauls, the analysis suggests that successful CEOs approach their early meetings primarily as diagnostic listening sessions. By focusing on uncovering underlying operational friction, cultural strengths, and unaddressed pain points, an incoming leader can gather the qualitative data required to make more informed, empathetic, and effective strategic decisions down the road. The analysis also sheds light on why many new chief executives falter during this early relationship-building phase. A common pitfall identified in the piece is the tendency for incoming leaders to move too quickly toward implementing changes without first establishing sufficient relational equity. When executives prioritize rapid disruption over understanding the existing organizational culture and history, they risk alienating key team members and misdiagnosing systemic issues. *Entrepreneur* indicates that taking the time to build a solid relational foundation during the first 60 days is crucial to avoiding early friction and securing long-term buy-in. For the founders, military veterans transitioning to corporate roles, and seasoned executives within the Valor & Ventures Media community, this strategic guidance underscores the essential link between relational diplomacy and operational authority. Transitioning into a chief executive role demands a careful balance between asserting a forward-looking vision and demonstrating institutional humility. For leaders accustomed to structured command environments or those navigating the rapid scaling of a high-growth startup, mastering stakeholder engagement in the first two months serves as a vital blueprint for building organizational trust, minimizing transition friction, and securing sustainable corporate growth.

## Article

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Libby Morgan · Entrepreneur · Photo: milorad kravic | Getty Images

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Originally published by Entrepreneur: https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-relationships-new-ceos-must-form-in-their-first-60-days/505010