How You Start Is How You Finish

Some people may object to the statement, "How you start is how you finish."  What about fourth quarter comebacks?  What about those who start strong and end up failing?  Those are great questions, but they also represent exceptions to the rule.  In most cases, how a leader starts is how they finish.

The presidency is seen as the pinnacle of leadership roles.  A measure of the presidency is the 100-day marker.  Analysts and the public measure presidents by what they are able to accomplish in the first 100 days of their presidency and use that measure to compare them to past presidents and to predict the outcome of the remainder of their time in office.  Some presidents object to the measure because they do not believe that their ultimate success or failure can be predicted by a little over three months in office.

A good leader knows that when they take on a new leadership role, it is important to start off strong.  The first days in the role are filled with meeting new people and making first impressions, making staffing and policy decisions that will impact the remainder of their tenure, and developing the plans that will shape their future as a leader.  Whether your start is measured by a week, a month, or 100 days, know that it is still a measure.

So what about the exceptions to the rule?  As much as we love a good comeback story, no one really wants to be in the position of the underdog having to defeat the odds to get the win.  We are much more comfortable getting to the top and keeping the lead.  That exception to the rule should encourage leaders who do not get off to a great start that all is not lost--there is still a chance to come out a winner.  On the other hand, those who start out on top and end up losing usually made some grave error along the way.  Hopefully no one ends up in that situation!

Finishing how you start should encourage you to start strong.  Begin with confidence and a solid plan in order to give yourself a great start with a promise for a successful finish.