Poor communication, unclear expectations

lead list of reasons

Four out of 10 newly promoted managers and executives fail within the first 18 months in their new positions, according to research by Atlanta-based Manchester Consulting. The single biggest reason: personal chemistry. They do not successfully build partnerships and teamwork with their subordinates and peers, according to the survey of 826 human resources mangers nationwide.

"The failure of newly promoted managers and executives to build a strong team and, at the same time, reach out to their colleagues and peers, is by far the biggest reason why 40 percent of them fail within the first 18 months," said Jackie Greaner, Manchester Consulting's president.

Confusion or being unclear about their bosses' expectations was the second-biggest reason cited by the respondents.

Take preventive steps to help ease the transition by taking clues from the five ways that newly promoted managers and executives say can improve their chances for success:

• Confirm with bosses the results expected of them in their first year.
  
• Find out the specific timetable for achieving these results.
  
• Determine how bosses will measure their performance.
  
• Ascertain from bosses the roles they are to play.
  
• Find out bosses' preferred way of getting progress reports and feedback.