⚡ The Quick Win Equation

A genuine quick win is the intersection of three properties: Visible (people notice and talk about it), Fast (delivered in 30–60 days), and Low-resistance (no major political battles required). All three are required. Two out of three is not a quick win.

Why each property is non-negotiable

• Visible: A quick win that no one notices does not build credibility. The win must be visible to at least your key stakeholders.
• Fast: A win that takes 6 months is not quick. The point is to demonstrate delivery speed before anyone has had time to doubt you.
• Low-resistance: A win that creates a political enemy is not a win — it is a debt that will be called in later.

The selection trap

CHROs often pick technically correct wins that nobody cares about, or high-visibility wins they have not yet earned the mandate to deliver. The best quick wins come from fixing something everyone complained about but nobody fixed.

The symbolic power of quick wins

A quick win signals your values and working style. What you choose to fix first tells the organisation who you are. Choose accordingly.

How to apply it

1. In your first two weeks, list every “we’ve been meaning to fix this for months” you hear. That list is your candidate pool.
2. Score each candidate on V, F, L. Only shortlist those that hit all three.
3. Deliver two visibly, back-to-back, in the first 90 days. Then earn the licence for the harder work.