Changing organisations is not only challenging but all too often a time when the newly hired manager has a high propensity to fail. One critical dimension of success in a new job ‐the relationship with the boss – is explored, outlining five critical aspects of building this relationship.

Building on a metaphor first coined by Lynch and Kordis, outlines the roles enacted during organizational change. Overlays the roles of “shark”, “carp” and “dolphin” against a unique change model, the power of which resides in alignments between underlying responsiveness,...