People are cynical animals.  More so perhaps in Europe than in the United States.  When someone starts in a new role, they will not just take what they are told about fresh starts, new ways or working or anything at face value.  They probably don’t believe it’s going to happen and wait to pounce on the first outward sign that the person involved is not actually doing as they said they will do.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to say what you will do and stick to it.  Pretty soon people will understand that maybe this time it is different and join you.  However, this slow victory can be shattered in an instant with a bad judgement and behaviour in the ‘I told you so’ category.

Say what you’re going to do and stick to it! 

If ever you really have to change then tell your teams what you are doing, why you have to break the ‘promises’ you made and how you will revert to the correct way of working immediately the situation is over.  You might get away with most of your credibility intact – but I can’t promise.